BusinessEurope warmly congratulates President Ursula von der Leyen and her team

It is important that the new European Commission got strong and wide support and can now get to work strengthened at a time when numerous challenges are facing Europe. The expectations are high, and the European business community stands ready to contribute to achieve what it believes are the prerequisites to promote and maintain our European Way of Life. 

Two weeks ago, BusinessEurope and its member federations across the continent have presented their three pillars for the European Agenda 2019-2024: Prosperity. People. Planet.

BusinessEurope President Pierre Gattaz said: “President Ursula von der Leyen has delivered a positive and outward-looking speech. The Europe that we want and that the world needs is innovative, competitive, sustainable and self-confident. We can be proud of our model, but in order to defend our role in the world, we will need to prove that it is also economically sustainable and successful.”

BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer said: “The core of the project will need to be a smart and modern industrial and innovation strategy that ensures that our joint efforts to protect the planet provide new business opportunities while avoiding negative effects on growth and jobs in Europe. Moreover, putting the Single Market back on top of the political agenda and maintaining an ambitious bilateral and multilateral trade agenda are key.”

The European business community is now waiting for the concrete proposals in the Commission Work Programme and looks forward to constructively contributing to an ambitious European agenda that provides opportunities for all.