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European Parliament of Enterprises: third edition, third success


The European Parliament was once again taken over by businesses on 16 October when the hemicycle in Brussels provided the forum for entrepreneurs from 45 countries to express their views on a range of key EU policy issues.

Participating in this unique model of EU economic democracy, business men and women became Members of the European Parliament for one day, debating and voting in real time on real topics. The proceedings were structured around four topics of crucial concern to the European business community: access to markets, skills to compete, finance for growth and affordable, sustainable and secure energy supplies.

In his opening speech, Richard Weber, President of EUROCHAMBRES, said: "As the EU enters a new five-year political cycle, let us look to the future, not to the past. Let us make sure that we use the EPE as a platform to send clear messages on how to make the EU a more favourable place to do business.”

With the hemicycle full to capacity, businesses called for more dynamic and effective EU and national policies that respond to their daily concerns, such as:
- stronger European Economic Diplomacy, advocating and defending EU businesses’ economic interests on global markets;
- more work-based learning schemes to ensure the availability of skilled workers;
- tax regimes that are more equity investment friendly;
- a more flexible and innovation-based approach to increasing energy efficiency.

The timing of the European Parliament of Enterprises could not have been better, conveying specific recommendations for a business-friendly EU just two weeks before the new Commission is due to take office and set out its agenda of the new legislative cycle.

As with previous editions of the European Parliament of Enterprises, this landmark event provided a valuable platform for entrepreneurs to express their point of view. And as with previous editions, these points of view will be conveyed to policy makers by EUROCHAMBRES in the weeks and months to come.

viEUws and EUROPOLITICS were media partners of the third European Parliament of Enterprises.

In an exclusive interview conducted by viEUws, José Manuel Barroso, the outgoing President of the European Commission, looks back at what has been done in the past five years, and talks about what still needs to be done to boost innovation, competitiveness and business in the European Union.

viEUws' website

On the occasion of the EPE, EUROPOLITICS published a special supplement devoted to the main concerns of European small and medium enterprises and reflecting the topics of the event