For the first time Bulgaria is visited by the Secretary General of BUSINESSEUROPE – the most powerful Business Union in Europe
Mr. Philippe de Buck is visiting Bulgaria at the invitation of BIA, which represents the Bulgarian Employers in BUSINESSEUROPE
Mr. de Buck – Secretary General of BUSINESSEUROPE – The Confederation of European Business – arrived in Bulgaria late in the evening yesterday, 20 September. He is on an official visit at the invitation of BIA, which represents the Bulgarian Employers in BUSINESSEUROPE.
During his visit in Bulgaria Mr. de Buck met Ms. Gergana Grancharova – Minister of European Affairs, Mr. Ivailo Kalfin – Vice PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Georgi Pirinski – Chairman of the National Assembly of Bulgaria, the Executive Board of BIA, members of the Board of Management of BIA, representatives of Sector organizations, and company directors. During the conversations with Mr. de Buck an emphasis was placed on the conditions and the perspectives before the Bulgarian Economy in the new and competitive environment; the role of the European Sector Organizations and the participation of the Bulgarian Sector Organizations, members of BIA in their activities; European Business issues, etc.
At the meeting with Ms. Grancharova, the Minister of the European Affairs emphasized, that the Ministry under her authority is seeking for an active connection with the Business, which is more flexible, regarding the issues of adoption of European Funds. In that context, according to Ms. Grancharova, BIA and BUSINESSEUROPE are the most appropriate partners. Mr. Danev invited Ms. Grancharova, on behalf of BIA and BUSINESSEUROPE, to participate in the meeting with the Bulgarian MEPs, the Commissioner Ms. Meglena Kuneva and the new Bulgarian Ambassador in EU, which will be organized by BUSINESSEUROPE in Brussels.
At the meeting with Vice PM Mr. Ivailo Kalfin, Mr. de Buck underlined the important role of BIA for the development of the Bulgarian economy, and also the active role of BIA, as a member of BUSINESSEUROPE, in the processes of European Economic Legislation improvement.
During the meetings (with Mr. Kalfin and Ms. Grancharova) were discussed issues related to the implementation and the execution of the European Services Directive, the problems of the mutual Energy policy of EU, including the nuclear energy development, and the European Social Reforms in the context of the Social Dialogue. In that matter, BIA has a program for the active participation of the Bulgarian Sector organizations in this process.
At the mutual press conference with Mr. de Buck, the President of BIA, Mr. Bojidar Danev, put an accent on the fact that Bulgaria is still behind in the development of the free energy market, which leads to loss of competitiveness. Mr. Danev and Mr. de Buck expressed a joint position, that the European Ecological Legislation is becoming bigger and bigger burden for the business, which reflects negatively on the competitiveness. In that connection, Mr. de Buck presented the main priorities of BUSINESSEUROPE to boost Europe (on the next page).
Participation in the press conference took, Mr. Jean-Marie Standaert, permanent representative of BIA in front of the European institutions in Brussels; Mr. Antoan Petrov – Member of the Executive Board of BIA, representative of the Branch Chamber of Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metallurgy, Regional representative of «Viohalco Group» and Executive Director of "Tepro Metal"; Mr. Denis Samson – Executive Director of „Solvei Sodi” – Devnia; Wolfgang Hamer – procurator of EVN-Bulgaria.
Bojidar Danev emphasized on the possibility for an active lobbying for the Bulgarian economic interests on European level, through the membership of BIA in BUSINESSEUROPE and the relevant Sector European Federations where the Sector organizations of BIA are members, as well as through the willingness for partnership with BIA and its members, announced by the Bulgarian MEPs.
According to the President of BIA, Bulgaria needs to reform its tax legislation with an eye to the aim of EU for equalization of the tax bases on the territory of the whole EU until 2010.
BIA will insist for split of the National Electric Company in three different companies – for energy transfer, for energy production, and for governing the water resources – which is to be made in connection with another European priority – the liberalization of the Energy market. On this issue BIA is supported by BUSINESSEUROPE.
Mr. de Buck will have a meeting with the Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria – Mr. Georgi Pirinski. It is expected Mr. Pirinski to pose a question on the issue, regarding the position of the European employers towards their colleagues that exploit the Bulgarian employees. A subject of the conversation will be also the forthcoming adoption of the Statute for a European Private Company – a new form of trade registration in Europe from the European Parliament (position of BIA you can download from the wed page: www.bia-bg.com ).
Mr. de Buck will have a meeting with Professor Ognian Gerdjikov – Member of the Bulgarian Parliament and President of the Court of Arbitration at BIA, Professor Borislav Borisov – Presiding the Association of the Organizations of Bulgarian Employers (AOBE), Associate Professor Lalko Dulevski – President of the Economic and Social Council, etc and other employers’ organizations.
Mr. de Buck’s agenda includes visiting Plovdiv where the event will be hosted by the Industrial Association – Plovdiv. BUSINESSEUROPE’s Secretary General will meet there the local representatives of the business.
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BUSINESSEUROPE – the Confederation of European Business represents more than 20 million small, medium and large companies. BUSINESSEUROPE Members are 39 central industrial and employers’ federations from 33 countries, working together to achieve growth and competitiveness in Europe. 1200 experts work in different spheres of the Economy in BUSINESSEUROPE’s 60 Working Groups.
BIA is member of BUSINESSEUROPE since January 2000.
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Main Priorities of BUSINESSEUROPE to boost Europe:
1. Implement the reforms for growth and jobs: More growth and jobs continue to be the central challenge for the EU. There is a need for a stronger political will and commitment, if the European Union wants to meet the Lisbon objectives. The European Union must put in place effective EU surveillance of national reform programs. Among many other actions, Europe must strengthen the links between research, innovation and education in order to strengthen its competitiveness. Less and, when needed, better regulation is necessary. EU intervention must be justified, explained and proportional to the objective. Subsidiary must be fully respected. Impact assessment, better regulation and less red tape are vital for doing business in Europe. Member States on their side must refrain from gold- plating EU legislation;
2. Reinvigorate integration of the Internal Market: The Internal Market is one of the great successes of the European integration and the foundation stone for growth and jobs in the European Union. But the Internal Market is not yet complete and it needs to be reinvigorated by further liberalizing markets, by completing Trans-European Networks and by eliminating obstacles to cross-border provision of services. The immense potential of the Internal Market of 27 must be used by integrating the new Member States as quickly as possible. But the most pressing hindrance to cross-border business activities is the nonchalance of Member States in implementing Internal Market directives they have agreed on at EU level, as well as insufficient enforcement. In areas such as energy, transport, intellectual property, the European Union has put in place initial building blocks to develop policies for addressing current challenges, but the scale and strategic vision of these initiatives must be strongly enhanced;
3. Complete the reform of the EU Governance: Efficient functioning of the EU Institutions is a key for the success of the enlarged EU. Taking appropriate actions to improve the efficiency and transparency of the EU institutions while preserving the “Community method” must be a priority of the EU. The EU decision-making process must be adapted to its current membership. The Commission must remain strong, independent and guardian of the Treaties. It must keep the right of initiative to propose actions to the Council and Parliament in the interest of the whole Community. The stability of the EU Presidency must be ensured. The credibility of Europe in foreign affairs requires a stronger voice;
4. Fight national protectionism: Thanks to an open market economy with free competition within the EU, national markets have opened up to each other. However, notwithstanding the free movement of persons, goods, services and capital, protectionist reflexes can still be observed. Yet Member States must not adopt an attitude of economic nationalism and protectionism which would equate to “less Europe”. Europe must strongly combat this tendency. The European Union must also remain committed to international trade liberalization by strengthening the WTO trading system and by facilitating trade and investment relations with major trading partners;
5. Promote a secure, competitive and climate-friendly energy system:
Fully implement the internal energy market;
Keep all energy options open, including nuclear;
Foster an international solution to the climate change threat.
6. Reform social systems to make them sustainable: Employment is the best way to ensure cohesion. The European social policy agenda’s first priority is the creation of new jobs and integration of more people in labour markets rather than trying to protect activities which are no longer competitive or enhance the rights of those already in work. Europe must concentrate on encouraging necessary labour market reforms, adapting pension systems to demographic ageing, empowering individuals to adapt their skills throughout their working lives, encouraging companies to develop competences and ensuring that education and training systems respond to labour market needs. Social partners are well placed to find flexible solutions, reconciling economic and social needs of labour market players and the autonomy of the social dialogue must be respected by all institutions.
