22/09/2005 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the UEAPME welcomed in a press release the European Commission's proposals on State aid (EUROPE 9032). “The new approach being proposed by the Commission better reflects the reality of European businesses”, states the European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. “Instead of funding unproductive, national champions, state aid will now be targeted towards small, innovative firms and encouraging this sizeable section of the economy to develop their potential”, UEAPME notes, welcoming in particular the measures aimed at supporting the financing of training and developing links between academic research and SMEs.