Launch event: An end to bureaucracy – An initiative to strengthen Europe, 17 October 2024

Working breakfast – Wednesday, 17 October, 8.00 am CET (90 mins)
European Parliament, Brussels

The current EU bureaucracy places a burden on businesses, hampers innovation and undermines citizens’ trust in the EU. Inspired by Christoph Leitl, former President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber and Eurochambres, and Michael Jäger, President of the European Taxpayers’ Association, they have jointly launched a petition under the slogan “Stop the bureaucracy”. The existing EU bureaucracy is to be reduced by 20 per cent in both volume and complexity for all citizens. Every new European regulation must be assessed in a qualitative impact assessment in terms of its consequences and costs, and must offer clear added value compared with national regulations. With this kick-off meeting, we are calling on the European Union to take concrete measures to reduce excessive bureaucracy in order to create a more dynamic and efficient EU that better meets the needs of its citizens and businesses. 
Further information: https://www.stop-eu-bureaucracy.com/

 

WELCOME

Angelika Winzig, MEP,
Vice-President of SME Europe; Board Member of SME Connect; Member of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs; Member of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

OPENING

CHRISTOPH LEITL
President of the European Business Circle, former President of the Austrian Chambers of Commerce & Eurochambres

MICHAEL JÄGER,
President of the European Taxpayers’ Association

Keynote speeches

Christian Mandl,
Head of the EU Policy Department, Austrian Federal Economic Chamber

Judith Arnal (TBC)
Associate Senior Research Fellow, Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS)

Markus Pieper (to be confirmed),
Board Member of SME Europe

BONIFACIO GARCIA PORRAS (to be confirmed)
Head of Unit for SMEs, DG GROW, European Commission

CLOSING REMARKS

Billy Kelleher, Member of the European Parliament (to be confirmed)
, Member of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs; Member of the Subcommittee on Taxation

MODERATOR

Dr Horst Heitz,
Chair of the SME Connect Steering Committee

 

Programme and registration link:
https://www.smeconnect.eu/events/kick-off-stop-bureaucracy/