On 1 January 1958 the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community (EEC Treaty) entered into force. The objectives of this Treaty are: the harmonious development of economic activities throughout the Community, a continuous and balanced expansion, an increase in stability, an accelerated raising of the standard of living and closer relations between the States belonging to the Community. These objectives are to be achieved by establishing a common market and progressively approximating the economic policies of the Member States. This should ultimately result in the realisation of a common market, characterised by the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital. Since the territory of the Contracting States is regarded as forming a single entity, the common market will have the characteristics of a vast domestic market.