Taxpayers Association of Europe (TAE) awards Taxpayers Prize to EU Commissioner Michel Barnier and to Dr Inge Gräßle, Member of the European Parliament
This year, the European Taxpayers Association Price - awarded by the Taxpayers Association of Europe for the 14th time on 4 November 2013 in Brussels - will go to European Commissioner Michel Barnier and to Dr. Inge Gräßle, a member of the European Parliament.
The commissioner for the Single Market, Michel Barnier, will be honoured for his engagement in the field of improvement of competitiveness and sustainable growth in Europe. His endeavours in terms of facilitating trans-national trade, relief of the costs for companies, reduction of unnecessary bureaucracy, strengthening of consumer rights, minimizing costs in connection with public procurement, better protection of intellectual rights and promotion of the digitalisation process in Europe are particularly commendable, says President Rolf von Hohenhau. And all this bearing in mind the imperative of the “social responsibilities of companies“. According to the Taxpayers Association of Europe, Commissioner Barnier is absolutely right when he states: “that Europe could do more for its citizens and should concentrate its powers towards growth and development“.
MEP Dr Inge Gräßle, member of the Committees on Budgets and Budgetary Control of the European Parliament, will be awarded because of her long-lasting fight against the misuse of tax monies and tax evasion, her engagement for more transparency and efficiency of the EU administration as well as better control and use of the EU budget.
The European citizens expect absolute care when it comes to dealing with their taxes, says Rolf von Hohenhau. In this context, Dr Gräßle is our hope and guarantor that the use of EU funds is not only controlled but critically examined.
The award ceremony will take place on 4 November 2013, from 18.00h to 21.00h at the Baden-Württemberg representation, Rue Belliard 60-62, 1040 Brussels.
The welcoming address will be hold by TAE-President Rolf von Hohenhau. The laudatory speech will be given by Senator Mario Monti, former Italian Prime Minister and winner of the TAE award in 2011.
Following this ceremony, a reception will be held at the Baden-Württemberg representation in Brussels.
The award will be granted in cooperation with the European Economic Senate (EES) and Concilius Europe.
