Press releases
Bilateral relations
EU-US: business looks forward to a new era of partnership
Today marks the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States of America. It should also mark a new era for transatlantic relations that hopefully will be more cooperative and l...
Trade
Better protecting the EU’s economic and financial interests
The European Commission communication on "Strengthening the EU’s economic and financial sovereignty" is an important step to kick off a broader debate on making Europe’s economic and financial sys...
Gattaz: Deepest regret about passing of former BusinessEurope Vice-President Hans de Boer
BusinessEurope President Pierre Gattaz expresses his deepest regret at the sudden decease of Mr Hans de Boer, former President of VNO-NCW and Vice-President of BusinessEurope: "Hans de Boer was a high...
Bilateral relations
EU-China deal can be important step to rebalance the relationship
Today the European Union and the People’s Republic of China announced the conclusion in principle of the negotiations on the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI). The agreement aims at increa...
Bilateral relations
EU-UK: a deal is most welcome
Today the European Union and the United Kingdom concluded a long-awaited agreement that will govern their future relationship. As we are approaching the end of the transition period, both sides should...
Climate change
EU leaders agreement is oxygen for Europe’s economic recovery
Today’s agreement reached by the European Council and all EU Member States on the long-term EU budget (MFF 2021-2027) and the Next Generation EU recovery fund is a major step forward to support our...
Bilateral relations
EU-UK negotiations: a deal is needed now
Today, during a meeting of BusinessEurope’s Council of Presidents, its member federations expressed great concern about the EU-UK negotiations.
BusinessEurope President Pierre Gattaz said: "The end...
Governance
European business to future Portuguese EU presidency: Supporting the recovery of companies protects workers
Today, BusinessEurope’s Council of Presidents met virtually in Lisbon by videoconference at the invitation of Mr António Saraiva, President of the Confederation of Portuguese Business, CIP. ...
Bilateral relations
Business confederations call for ratification of the agreement between the European Union and Mercosur
In a joint statement, the confederations of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay and BusinessEurope reiterate their full support for the completion of the agreement between the two trade blocs. ...
European Council
European social partners urge member states to endorse the agreement found on the recovery fund and long-term budget – Joint statement ahead of the European Council on 19 November 2020
Ahead of the video conference of the members of the European Council on 19 November 2020, the European social partners urge member states to endorse the agreement found on the European recov...
Economy and finance
EU agreement on long-term budget is a key step forward for Europe
Following today’s agreement reached by the European Parliament and the Council on the EU Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021-2027, BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer said: "T...
Bilateral relations
EU-USA: It is time to work together – based on our shared values
Following the results of the US elections, Pierre Gattaz, President of BusinessEurope said: "We would like to send our sincere congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
The tr...
Economy and finance
Rapid implementation of EU recovery instrument is key in enduring COVID crisis
Political leaders should avoid any premature unwinding of economic support
EU economic output might be 3% below pre-crisis level by end 2021
Falls in hours worked equivalent to 18 million full time...
Industrial relations and EU labour law
Proposed EU directive on minimum wages is a recipe for disaster
Today, the European Commission proposed a European directive on minimum wages and collective bargaining. This proposal goes against the majority view of EU Member States – many are in favour of a no...
Bilateral relations
EU-UK: This is not the time to walk out, negotiations must continue
Following the latest developments in the EU-UK negotiations, the European business community insists that a deal is still possible if both sides remain at the table and committed to reaching a comprom...
Bilateral relations
EU trade agreements are key for jobs and economic recovery
36 million jobs based on exports - companies must make better use of free trade
Ahead of the European Commission publishing its report on the implementation of the EU free-trade deals, BusinessEurope...
Financing research and innovation
EU ministers made a decisive good step on research financing
Today, EU research ministers adopted the Council’s position on Horizon Europe, the next EU flagship programme for research and innovation.
Next to emergency financial support for millions of f...
Bilateral relations
EU-UK: time is running out, a deal is needed urgently
There might not be enough time to conclude and ratify a deal in time
This week will be the last official round of negotiations currently foreseen between the EU and the U.K. Business is inc...
COVID-19 measures: A coordinated European approach is needed
Member States should coordinate their actions restricting free movement of people
Last week, the EU Competitiveness Council addressed the economic recovery amid the new stage of the non-r...
Climate change
2030 climate target must be aligned with strong EU industry strategy
Today, the European Commission revealed its new plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 by at least 55% compared to 1990, substantially increasing its initial 40% target. The Commission also p...
Governance
HOW to build a better Europe?
Reacting to the first speech on the State of the Union by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, BusinessEurope welcomed her strong commitment to making Europe better, more competitive an...
Better regulation
Strategic Foresight Report key for evidence-based policy-making
Today, the European Commission adopted its first ever "Strategic Foresight Report: charting the course towards a more resilient Europe".
The Commission’s aim to identify emerging challenges and opp...
Trade
Protecting the EU economy against extraterritorial sanctions
The EU should strengthen its foreign economic diplomacy in the area of sanctions
Today, BusinessEurope published recommendations to strengthen the EU foreign economic diplomacy in the area of sanctio...
European Council
European business welcomes that deal was found in European Council
Following the agreement reached by the European Council on the EU recovery plan and the new long-term EU budget, BusinessEurope President Pierre Gattaz said: "The fact that the European Coun...