Brussels, 30/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European employers' organisation, BUSINESSEUROPE, is urging candidates to the European elections to ensure that “European competitiveness is central in the next European Parliament's work”, according to a press release on Wednesday 29 April. “Eighty percent of the decisions affecting European business are taken at the European level”, states Ernest-Antoine Seillière, President of BusinessEurope, who takes the view that, with the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, “the European Parliament will have an increased power to shape policies”. Hence the need for the organisation to call on the future MEPs to take account of the stakes of European integration for businesses. Before all else, BusinessEurope hopes dialogue between the EP and the business community will be strengthened. At the level of European legislation, the business confederation states its preference for clear, simple rules that are effectively implemented. It states that indepth assessment of the impact that European legislation has throughout the decision-making process is also “indispensable”. Furthermore, BusinessEurope calls on the future Parliament to focus on SMEs which employ 70% of the European labour market with: - adoption of the Small Business Act for Europe (a project communicated by the Commission in June 2008 which received the EP's support in March this year), adoption of European Private Company status (in March 2009, the EP took a stance in favour of the draft Council regulation on EPC status), which will facilitate the creation of businesses, and also the strengthening of rules against payment arrears. The most imminent challenge, however, remains the economic and financial crisis. Restoring access to credit, improving the way financial markets work, and resisting all forms of protectionism will be the guidelines that MEPs must follow. They are also invited to ensure respect of the Stability and Growth Pact. A providential way to relaunch economic growth could be through innovation and knowledge. According to the business confederation, the 2009-2014 EP should facilitate public and private partnerships in the field of R&D and also improve protection of intellectual property by creating European law on this and adopting the Community patent. At the social level, European employers hope to see more “flexicurity” on the labour market (i.e.: more forms of flexible work while, for example, ensuring lifelong learning). Finally, BusinessEurope would like “environmental policy and competitiveness to work hand in hand”, which means, on one side, combating climate change, strengthening energy efficiency and diversifying energy sources, while, on the other, developing “market-oriented initiatives to promote sustainable consumption and production”. (Y.P./transl.jl)