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Messages to the European Council

The European Council defines the overall political direction and priorities of the European Union. It plays a key role in forging a consensus on goals and policies of the European Union. The conclusions it adopts during European Council meetings, chaired by the President of the European Council, Mr Charles Michel, identify the issues to be tackled and actions to be taken.

Ahead of every European Council meeting dealing with issues affecting companies, BusinessEurope and its members discuss these issues and define what they expect the European Council to do in order move the EU agenda forward and deliver a better Europe for companies and citizens.

Publications

Public letters Date
Putting in place an ambitious and effective long-term EU competitiveness strategy - BusinessEurope message to the European Council meeting on 23-24 March 2023 20/03/2023
EU urgently needs to do its homework on investment conditions in Europe to improve competitiveness and deliver the net-zero transition - BusinessEurope message to the European Council meeting on 9-10 February 2023 07/02/2023
Level the playing field across the Atlantic and EU solutions to the energy crisis urgently needed to avoid Europe’s deindustrialisation - BusinessEurope message to the European Council meeting on 15-16 December 2022 12/12/2022
High energy prices and supply chain disruptions endanger European growth and jobs: immediate action needed to ease the burden on companies - BusinessEurope message to the European Council meeting on 20-21 October 2022 14/10/2022
Supporting competitiveness is more important than ever - BusinessEurope message to the European Council meeting on 23-24 June 2022 15/06/2022
Clear guidance needed to swiftly deploy a credible REPowerEU plan - BusinessEurope message to the special European Council on 30-31 May 2022 24/05/2022
Putting Europe back on the path to security and prosperity - BusinessEurope message to the Spring European Council on 24-25 March 2022 22/03/2022
Pan-European coordination needed to avoid undermining the recovery - Message to the European Council meeting on 16-17 December 2021 13/12/2021
Transform Europe's recovery into lasting growth and employment, strengthen digital capacities, coordinate migration policies, and improve trade relations - Message to the European Council meeting on 21-22 October 2021 13/10/2021
Strengthening the recovery, making good use of European funds, and alleviating international tensions - Message to the European Council meeting on 24-25 June 2021 21/06/2021
Smart decisions needed on COVID, climate, EU-UK relations and Russia to help the recovery - Message to the European Council ahead of its special meeting on 25-26 May 2021 19/05/2021
Companies cannot absorb additional burden on top of the crisis - Message to the European Council meeting on 25-26 March 2021 22/03/2021
Two messages ahead of the video conference meeting of members of the European Council on 25-26 February 2021 24/02/2021
Council deal is essential to help the EU economy recover from the COVID-19 crisis - Message to the European Council meeting on 10-11 December 2020 07/12/2020
Europe urgently needs a growth-enhancing recovery plan and clear rules on future EU-UK relations - Message to the European Council meeting on 15-16 October 2020 12/10/2020
A determined financial and non-financial European response - Message to the European Council video meeting on 19 June 2020 16/06/2020
Video conference of the members of the European Council on 23 April 2020 - Input from the European social partners 22/04/2020
Video conference of the members of the European Council on 23 April 2020 - Letter from Pierre Gattaz and Markus J. Beyrer to the President of the European Council Charles Michel 14/04/2020
Overcoming the COVID-19 crisis and focussing on the essential - Message to the members of the European Council ahead of their video conference on 26 March 2020 24/03/2020
Statement of the European social partners ETUC, BusinessEurope, CEEP, SMEUnited on the COVID-19 emergency - Message to the video conference of the members of the European Council on 26 March 2020 24/03/2020
A strong economy is key to deliver for people and protect our planet - Message to the European Council meeting on 12-13 December 2019 10/12/2019
No Deal Brexit is a recipe for disaster and must be avoided - Message to the European Council meeting on 17-18 October 2019 15/10/2019
A strong economy is key to maintain our living standards - Message to the European Council meeting on 17-18 October 2019 11/10/2019
A focused EU strategic agenda and no delays in appointing new EU leaders - Message to the European Council meeting on 20-21 June 2019 17/06/2019
The EU must focus on strategic priorities - Message to the European Council meeting on 9 May 2019 in Sibiu 30/04/2019
The EU does not have enough world-leading firms - Message to the European Council meeting on 21-22 March 2019 13/03/2019
Concrete decisions are urgently needed to strengthen our European Union - Message to the European Council and Euro-summit meetings on 13-14 December 2018 06/12/2018
Avoiding a cliff-edge Brexit scenario and putting our EU house in order - Message to the European Council meeting on 17-18 October 2018 12/10/2018
United, strong and smart to strengthen the EU and tackle protectionism - Message to the European Council meeting on 28-29 June 2018 20/06/2018
Message to the European Council on 22-23 March 2018 - Ten years after the crisis improving competitiveness is more important than ever 21/03/2018
Message to the European Council on 14-15 December 2017 - Letter from BusinessEurope President Emma Marcegaglia to Donald Tusk, President of the European Council 01/12/2017
Message to the European Council on 19-20 October 2017 - Letter from BusinessEurope President Emma Marcegaglia to Donald Tusk 17/10/2017
Message to the European Council meeting on 22-23 June 2017 - Letter from BusinessEurope President Emma Marcegaglia to Donald Tusk 22/06/2017
Message to the European Council meeting on 9-10 March 2017 27/02/2017
Message to the European Council meeting on 15 December 2016 - Letter from BusinessEurope President Emma Marcegaglia to Donald Tusk 09/12/2016
Unity, prosperity and security in an increasingly challenging international environment - Message to the European Council meeting on 20-21 October 2016 - Letter from BusinessEurope President Emma Marcegaglia to Donald Tusk 14/10/2016
BusinessEurope's message to the Bratislava summit on 16 September 2016 13/09/2016
Message to the European Council meeting on 17-18 March 2016 - Only with a strong economy can Europe face its many challenges 15/03/2016
Message to the European Council meeting on 18-19 February 2016 - Now is a time for European solutions 12/02/2016
Message to the European Council meeting on 17-18 December 2015 11/12/2015
Message to the European Council meeting on 15 October 2015 - Letter from BusinessEurope President Emma Marcegaglia to Donald Tusk 09/10/2015
Message to the euro summit on 22 June 2015 and EU Council meeting on 25-26 June 2015 - Letter from BusinessEurope President Emma Marcegaglia to Donald Tusk 19/06/2015
Message to the European Council meeting on 19 March 2015 - Letter from BusinessEurope President Emma Marcegaglia to Donald Tusk 16/03/2015
EU investment plan - Message to the European Council meeting on 18-19 December 2014 - Letter from BusinessEurope President Emma Marcegaglia to Donald Tusk 15/12/2014
Donald Tusk takes office as President of the European Council - Congratulation letter from Emma Marcegaglia and Markus J. Beyrer 01/12/2014
Strengthening investment requires reforms and competitive climate policies - Letter from BusinessEurope President Emma Marcegaglia to Herman Van Rompuy in advance of the European Council meeting on 23-24 October 2014 17/10/2014
Fewer priorities and bolder actions for competitiveness - Letter from BusinessEurope President Emma Marcegaglia to Herman Van Rompuy ahead of the European Council on 26-27 June 2014 18/06/2014
Europe is walking; the rest of the world is running - BusinessEurope statement to the Spring European Council on 20-21 March 2014 07/03/2014
Give growth a chance: combine national and European reforms - BusinessEurope statement to the Heads of State and Government in view of the European Council meeting on 27-28 June 2013 25/06/2013
Fiscal consolidation must be accompanied by growth-enhancing reforms and focus upon reductions in public expenditure - BusinessEurope message to the Spring European Council on 14-15 March 2013 14/03/2013
Act now to restore confidence and boost competitiveness - Message to the EU Council meeting on 13-14 December 2012 12/12/2012
Towards a genuine economic and monetary union - Letter from President Jürgen R. Thumann to Herman Van Rompuy ahead of the European Council meeting on 18-19 October 2012 15/10/2012
Spring European Council on 1-2 March 2012 - Letter from Philippe de Buck to Herman Van Rompuy 29/02/2012
Informal European Council on 30 January 2012 - Letter from President Jürgen R. Thumann to President Herman Van Rompuy 27/01/2012
Special European Council on 4 February 2011 - Letter from President Jürgen R. Thumann to Herman van Rompuy 24/01/2011
Position papers Date
European business community fully stands behind EU leaders’ actions to defend security and freedom - BusinessEurope’s message to informal meeting of Heads of state and government in Versailles on 10-11 March 2022 09/03/2022
COVID-19 - European social partners' input for the Cabinet of President Charles Michel 17/04/2020
The EU needs a coherent global strategy and must tackle uncertainties dampening recovery - BusinessEurope statement 01/06/2016
Press releases Date
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 18/11/2020
European business welcomes that deal was found in European Council 21/07/2020
European business urges EU leaders to find an agreement 20/07/2020
Gattaz to EU leaders: agreement on EU recovery stimulus urgently needed 15/07/2020
No time to waste to kick-start the recovery 18/06/2020
EU solidarity and immediate cash availability is essential 23/04/2020
EU leaders must protect the European economy, whatever it takes 25/03/2020
October Council should not become a lost chance for a Brexit deal 15/10/2018
EU Summit should act against protectionism and strengthen the EU 27/06/2018
Polish judicial reform – independent judiciary crucial for democracy and the economy 19/07/2017
We warmly congratulate President Tusk on the renewal of his mandate 09/03/2017
Crisis-hit EU needs stronger economic base to handle challenges 11/12/2015
Last updated: 22 June 2021