Press releases
Only a strong EU can respond to global challenges
- Business Ambition 2030 – A Europe with opportunities for all -
Today in Rome, Europe’s umbrella organisation for employers and industry, BusinessEurope and its Italian member federation Confi...
Bilateral relations
A solution must urgently be found to avoid no-deal Brexit
European business is extremely disturbed by yesterday’s developments in the UK.
The withdrawal agreement that includes a transition period is the only available option to avoid major dis...
Climate change
UN Climate Summit COP24: Deal on the Rulebook is a step forward
On Saturday evening governments at the UN global climate summit COP24 in Katowice, Poland reached an agreement. After years of negotiations, it is positive to see that the “Paris Rulebook”...
Bilateral relations
European business welcomes the EU-Japan EPA ratification
European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)
Today the European Parliament approved the EU-Japan EPA, completing parliamentary ratifications...
Bilateral relations
European business alarmed by recent developments on Brexit
No-deal Brexit must be avoided
European business is extremely concerned by the recent developments on Brexit. The postponement of the vote on the withdrawal agreement increases uncertainty and is a b...
A Europe with opportunities for all – A business ambition for 2030
The world is changing rapidly and profoundly as global alliances shift and populism rises. What we are witnessing is not just another era of change but a change of era. Business wants to be part of th...
Climate change
Climate negotiations COP24: The time for global action is now
On 3 December, global climate negotiations will start in Katowice, Poland (Conference of the Parties 24). COP24 is seen as the most important climate conference since the landmark Paris Agreement was...
Bilateral relations
Statement of BusinessEurope’s Council of Presidents on Brexit
We must avoid a chaotic Brexit
(Vienna/ Brussels, 23 November 2018)
Today, at the meeting of BusinessEurope’s Council of Presidents in Vienna, BusinessEurope and its member federations urged...
EU single market
Single Market barriers undermine EU’s economic power
Today, the European Commission published its communication on the "Single Market in a Changing World", warning that today’s advantages of border-free movement of people, capital, goods and services...
Financing research and innovation
Horizon Europe: more – not less – to overcome the innovation gap
Today the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy voted on the EU’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation for the 2021-2027 period. The so-called Horizon...
SME internationalisation
EU SMEs need to make better use of EU trade agreements
Today, 600 participants of the EU’s 2018 SME Assembly meet in Graz under the Austrian Presidency to support small and medium-sized businesses to make better use of the increasing number of EU fr...
Bilateral relations
BusinessEurope welcomes positive step towards orderly Brexit
Today’s decision from President Donald Tusk to schedule a meeting of the European Council on the 25 November opens the way for an orderly exit of the UK from the EU.
BusinessEurope President Pi...
Digital economy
Making the free flow of data a reality
Today, Council voted in support of the EU regulation on the free flow of non-personal data in the EU. This is the last step in making this regulation a law which will enter into force by the end of ne...
Bilateral relations
EU-US after midterm elections: business expects transatlantic solutions
Now that the US midterm elections have taken place, the EU and the US must concentrate all efforts on solving critical problems in their transatlantic relationship, especially in trade-related policy...
Economy and finance
Escalating global trade tensions and skills shortages a risk for EU economy
- Economic Outlook Autumn 2018 -
The danger of an escalating trade war is seen as a key risk for economic growth by BusinessEurope’s members. It could reduce global GDP by almost one percent in 2...
Energy and environment
EU’s single-use plastics waste should be a shared responsibility
Tomorrow’s vote in the European Parliament on single-use plastics waste will be an important decision for European industry. BusinessEurope believes it is essential that the EU takes actions to add...
ASEAN
Gattaz: We should better connect Asia and Europe, based on rules
Today, business and government leaders from Asia and Europe gathered in Brussels to participate in the 16th Asia-Europe Business Forum and published conclusions on deepening and expanding the Asia-Eur...
European Council
October Council should not become a lost chance for a Brexit deal
In spite of intense discussions ahead of the October European Council both sides have still to find common ground on the withdrawal agreement that also includes transition.
BusinessEurope President...
Companies treasure Europe’s key foundations and values
On the initiative of its new President, Pierre Gattaz, BusinessEurope has gathered its members for a seminar in Paris on 9 and 10 October to define their expectations on the evolution of the further c...
Climate change
IPCC report confirms urgent need for global action
Reacting to the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming BusinessEurope President Pierre Gattaz stated:
“We welcome this report and see it as a key scientific input in view of COP24 in Katowice.&n...
Multilateral / WTO
Reforming the WTO: this is a now or never moment
WTO members should find the necessary will and flexibility to lead the organisation out of the current crisis
BusinessEurope is a vocal supporter of multilateral trade and the World Trade Organisatio...
Digital economy
European Parliament advances fight against Europe’s cyberthreats
EU should authorise companies to self-certify medium risk level products
Yesterday the European Parliament’s plenary supported opening negotiations with the Council on the Cybersecurity Act. Th...
EU single market
Goods package: EU law should be better enforced to protect consumers and companies
Yesterday, the European Parliament Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Committee voted on several legislative proposals to improve the functioning of the EU Single Market
aimed at better...