ANNUAL

REPORT

SMALL AND MEDIUM

ENTREPRENEURS UNION
OF THE EPP

2007
 CONTENTS

Page 3 Foreword
Page 4 Year Ahead
Page 5 The Team
Page 8 Greetings
Page 16 2007 Highlights
Page 17 Successes
Page 18 Events
Page 23 SME Circle
Page 26 Events
Page 36 From the Office
Page 38 SME UNION Map
Page 39 SME UNION Members
Page 40 Organizational Chart & Statutes
Page 41 Finances & Gratitutes
Page 42 Stagiaires & Team
 FOREWORD
Dear Members of the SME UNION, dear Members of the SME Circle, dear Friends and Partners of the SME UNION family!
T he SME UNION, the business organi-
zation of the European People’s Party
looks back at a very successful year 2007.
Please allow me to draw your attention to
some of the SME UNION successes of the
past year: We started 2007 with our offi-
cial request to cut the administrative bur-
den for SMEs by 25 percent until 2010.
This will lead to an increase of European
Christoph Leitl
GDP of 1.5 percent and would boost
President growth and innovation in Europe. We were
able to discuss our ideas personally with
SME Commissioner Günter Verheugen.
The SME UNION completed in 2007 a lot of urgent missions to
help SMEs across the European Union to get started and to grow:
De-minimis threshold has been extended from 100.000 to
200.000 EUR. The increase of the de-minimis-limit for national
funding to 200.000 EUR is a huge success for SMEs which allows
national aids up to that amount in a three-year-period to be grant-
ed without permission from Brussels. That means less bureaucra-
cy and quick and easy help.
The new pilot project ERASMUS for young entrepreneurs can
bring SMEs a great step forward and foster the entrepreneurial spir-
it of young European businesspeople. The launch of the European
Commission’s new program end of 2007 also means a big success
for the SME UNION as we have already demanded a real exchange
program for employers and entrepreneurs in our 10m+ Program in
March 2006 asking the Commission to become active.
The SME UNION demanded extended finance for the
Competitiveness and Innovation Program (CIP) for SMEs.
Success: An additional 400 million EUR in the budget and 1 billion
EUR from European Investment Bank were reserved for the CIP.
The SME UNION fought for a quick implementation of the Joint
European Resources for Micro to Medium Enterprises initia-
tive (JEREMIE) which was implemented on January 1, 2007.
JEREMIE promotes increased access to finance for the develop-
ment of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the regions
of the EU.
The SME UNION demanded an increase in funding for LEONARDO
(EU program for transnational work placements, vocational educa-
tion and training) and achieved the adoption of an additional 800
million EUR for 2007-2013 and an additional 100 million EUR for
Lifelong Learning Program.
On the other hand, new tasks are arising to make our small and
medium sized companies ready for the challenges of globalization.
Topics like climate change, a more competitive EU energy market,
energy efficiency programs for SMEs or cross border health servic-
es or an EU-wide Small Business Act will be issues which SME
UNION will tackle in 2008.
We will fight for better framework conditions for SMEs and will start
supporting our member organizations for the upcoming European
Parliament elections 2009.
The SME UNION set up a “Low” Level Group to fight admin-
istrative burdens: As regards the cutting of red tape, the SME
UNION installed an expert group of real entrepreneurs which will
suggest concrete and practicable measures how to reduce bureau-
cracy. The European Commission has set up a “High Level Expert
Group on Administrative Burdens”. There are no real entrepreneurs
in this expert group and no representatives from our new member
countries from Eastern Europe. Our group will be therefore rather
“low” on the real working level and down to earth. It will consist of
small and medium entrepreneurs who have suffered from bureau-
cratic obstacles first-hand. We will present the results after 6
months in June 2008 and will not spend millions of EUR for con-
sultants. They will be able to speak from their own experience.
Looking at the year 2008, our topic of the year will be the
“European Small Business Act: answer to globalization – foster-
ing the EU internal market”. The SME UNION urges the European
Commission to propose a Small Business Act (SBA) in order to
address the concerns of SMEs in Europe.
All these successes and our work could not have been achieved
without the support of our members, partners, friends, our team
and the SME Circle. The SME UNION expresses its great apprecia-
tion to our network for the support 2007. Let us continue to pur-
sue our common goals with joint forces.
Yours truly,
Christoph Leitl
President
3
 Y E A R
AHEAD
Dear Members and Partners of the SME UNION, dear friends of SMEs,
I t is my pleasure to present you the
SME UNION Annual Report 2007.
We all had a very dynamic year 2007
with 34 events – 16 parliamentary
working breakfasts and luncheons and
18 international conferences. We pub-
lished three paper publications as well
as 9 electronic SME information
Patrick Voller newsletters. 22 press releases on key
Secretary General issues related to EU small businesses
supported our policy activities.
Throughout the year we were honored
to welcome several key personalities at our SME UNION
events such as Commission Vice-President Verheugen,
Commissioners Reding and Kuneva, Maltese Prime Minister
Gonzi and the Romanian Prime Minister Tariceanu, just to
name a few.
President Leitl re-elected in Berlin
On May 11 the SME UNION General Assembly was held in
Berlin. President Christoph Leitl, Co-President Peter Jungen
and the six Vice-Presidents were reelected to lead the small
business organization of the European People’s Party in the
coming two years. New in our team are Bulgarian MP and
former Foreign Minister Nadezhda Mihaylova, MEP and EPP
Vice-President Corien Wortmann-Kool as new SME Women
President, Bulgarian MP and former EP Observer Maria
Cappone, Romanian PNTCD President Marian Petre Milut,
MEP Philip Bushill-Matthews as Coordinator of the EP
Employment and Social Affairs Committee and MEP Jean-
Paul Gauzès as SME Start-up President from the French
UMP.
Entrepreneurship Award to Verheugen
Another highlight of 2007 was the Annual SME UNION
Political Entrepreneurship Award Ceremony on “How to
make Europe more Entrepreneurial” held in November
2007. The Award was given to European Commission Vice-
President Günter Verheugen, not only as a sign of apprecia-
tion for all of his efforts concerning SMEs but also to encour-
age him to continue his work and to support all those who
are standing behind this process of change.
4
Topic of 2008: EU Small Business Act
The SME UNION topic of the year 2008 will be “European
Small Business Act: answer to globalization – fostering the
EU internal market“. Binding guidelines and provisions tai-
lored especially for SMEs should draw together different
existing provisions and introducing new ones for small busi-
nesses in various policies and laws with the aim of reducing
administrative burdens for SMEs, increasing their participa-
tion in EU programmes, insuring their share in public pro-
curement, easier access to standardization and reducing
obstacles to cross-border trade.
Strong team ready for 2009
I seize this opportunity to say once more thank you to our for-
mer Head of Office Barbara Schweighofer for her great work
and dedication during the last three years in our team in
Brussels. In mid 2007 Barbara Schweighofer handed the SME
UNION office key over to our new Head of Office Barbara
Frontini Bizjak from Slovenia who has already proven that she
as well will be a great support for the SME UNION family.
Furthermore we are very happy to welcome Cleopatra Rusu
in our SME UNION headquarters as our new Political Adviser.
With a strong reelected and reinforced Presidency team after
our General Assembly in Berlin and with new (wo)man-power
in the secretariat we are on all levels prepared to fight for suc-
cessful 2009 elections to the European Parliament.
I conclude by thanking all of our members, partners, sup-
porters and friends all over Europe. The information events,
legislative lobbying activities, political campaigns and work-
shops we organized together were important to put into
action our common goals and values. The SME UNION is
here to serve you, our members and partners. In our daily
work we put service on top of our agenda, but only togeth-
er we will accomplish the highest impact.
With my best wishes, yours
Patrick Voller
Secretary General
 THE TEAM

President Honorary Presidents

Jacques SANTER, (LUX)
Christoph LEITL, (AUT)
President of the SME UNION (2003-2005)
President of Eurochambres from 2002 to 2005. He studied eco-
Member of European Parliament (1999-2004)
nomics in Linz. In 1982 Christoph Leitl started his political career
President of the European Commission (1995-1999)
as chairman of the "Young Industry Austria". In the regional gov-
President of the European People’s Party (1987-1990)
ernment of Upper Austria he was in charge of economics, tourism,
Member of European Parliament (1975-1979)
technology, energy, vocational training, regional planning and
Vice-President of the European Parliament (1975-1977)
Europe. From 1995 – 2000 Christoph Leitl was deputy governor
and treasurer of Upper Austria and in the same period he was
Born on 18 May 1937, Wasserbillig
member of the Committee of the Regions, (SME Commission).
Since 1999 he is President of the Wirtschaftsbund Österreich.
Since 2000 Christoph Leitl is President of the Austrian Federal
Ingo FRIEDRICH, MEP (GER)
Economic Chamber.
Group of the European People’s Party (Christian
Born on 29 March 1949, Linz
Democrats) and European Democrats,
Member of the Bureau European Parliament, Vice-
President Parliament’s Bureau, Vice-President
Co-President Committee on Constitutional Affairs, Member
Delegation for relations with Iran, Member
Germany, Christlich-Soziale Union in Bayern e.V
Peter JUNGEN, (GER)
Born on 24 January 1942, Kutno-Wartheland
Co-Chairman of the European People’s Party economic and social
policy committee. Treasurer of the Mittelstands- und
Wirtschaftsvereinigung (MIT). Chairman of Peter Jungen Holding Honorary Member
GmbH, Cologne, Germany, which invests in early stage enterpris-
es (angel investor). He is Founder President of Business Angels
Christos FOLIAS, MP (GRE)
Netzwerk Deutschland (BAND) and President of European
Business Angels Network (EBAN) (2001 – 2004). He is the
Development Minister of Greece (Economist - entrepreneur). He
President of European Enterprise Institute (EEI). He is a member
studied economics at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
of several boards and advisory councils, i.e. Deutsche Bank AG,
Folias served as board chairman of the Commercial Association
Ost, Frankfurt / Berlin; AXA Colonia Konzern AG, Cologne, New
of Thessaloniki and of the National Confederation of Greek
Atlantic Initiative, Washington, New York Philharmonic New York
Commerce as well as Vice-President of EuroCommerce. He is
City, among others. He is a member of the International Advisory
also a member of New Democracy’s central committee and of the
Board, Columbia University and a member of the Josef
Constantine Karamanlis Foundation for Democracy. He was elect-
Schumpeter Society.
ed to the European Parliament from the New Democracy party in
1999.
Born on 21 August 1939, Montabaur
Born on 14 February 1951, Thessaloniki

Secretary General
Vice-Presidents
Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, MEP (LAV)
Patrick VOLLER, (AUT)
Former Finance Minister of Latvia Group of the European
Studied law in Vienna (Austria) and Louvain-la-Neuve
People’s Party (Christian Democrats) and European
(Belgium) specializing in EU Law. After teaching at the
Democrats, Member of the Bureau European Parliament,
University Linz (Austria) Voller received from the Johns Hopkins
Member Committee on Budgets, Member Delegation to the
University Bologna Center (Italy) a post-graduate Diploma in
ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, Member Head of the
International Relations. After working for three years for the
Latvian EPP-ED Delegation Latvia, Jaunais laiks.
Austrian Chamber of Commerce in Vienna he was appointed
Secretary General of the SME UNION in January 2004.
Born on 5 August 1971, Riga
Born on 26 November 1973, Jos (Nigeria)

5
 THE TEAM
Vice-Presidents
Piia-Noora KAUPPI, MEP (FIN)
Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) and
European Democrats, Member of the Bureau European
Parliament, Member Committee on Economic and Monetary
Affairs, Member Committee on Legal Affairs, Member Committee
on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, Member Delegation for
relations with the People’s Republic of China, Member Head of the
Finnish EPP-ED Delegation Finland, Kansallinen Kokoomus.
Born on 7 January 1975, Oulu
Malcolm HARBOUR, MEP (GBR)
Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) and
European Democrats, Member of the Bureau European
Parliament, Member Committee on the Internal Market and
Consumer Protection, Member Delegation for relations with
Japan, Member United Kingdom, Conservative and Unionist Party
Born on 19 February 1947, Woking, Surrey
Jean-Michel FERRAND, MP (FRA)
Member of the National Assembly of France since 1986
Professor of literature UMP National Secretary for SMEs France,
Union pour un Mouvement Populaire
Born on 31 August 1942, Gardanne
(Bouches-du-Rhône)
Jerzy SAMBORSKI, (POL)
President of UNICORN - SME Union Poland Former Member of the
Board of the Polish Educational Society Abroad in London.
Entrepreneur in UK (London) Publishing and Design Studio (1982
- 1992) and in Poland: Twoj Styl (Polish), Ringier AG (Swiss),
Trader.com (USA), Allianz - CRM (German) (1990 - 1998). Since
2000 he has been running his own International Business
Consulting Centre, specializing in SMEs and Local Governments
matters. In 2003 he co-founded the European Enterprise Institute
and in February 2006 he was nominated its Executive Director.
Born on 7 February 1948, Gora
Tomaz TOPLAK, (SLO)
Since 2000 Attorney at Law, since 2002 Vice-President of the SME
UNION, since 2003 President of the SME Union Slovenia. As grad-
uate in the Faculty of Law, he started working for the Ministry of
Labour, Family and Social Affairs and then continued his profession-
al career as Head of the Legal Department at the Bank of Slovenia.
As member of several supervisory bodies he gained additional skills
and experience in the field of finance and asset management.
Before taking up a duty as Chairman of the Management Board of
the Kapitalska druzba
˘ in 2005, he was Member of the Supervisory
Board of Kapitalska druzba,˘ d.d., one of the most important
Slovenian financial institutions in the field of managing the assets
in pension funds.
Born on 25 June 1965, Ljubljana
6
Treasurer
Karlheinz Kopf, MP (AUT)
Since the year 2000 Karlheinz Kopf is politically active as
Secretary General of the Wirtschaftsbund. He is Member of
Parliament of the Austrian People’s Party and speaker for energy
and environmental issues since 1994. Besides his political activ-
ities he manages the "Sportbau Walser" enterprise which he
owns together with his wife. Austria, Österreichische Volkspartei
Born on 27 June 1957, Hohenems
Co-Treasurer
Hans-Dieter LEHNEN, (GER)
Secretary General of the Mittelstands- und Wirtschaftsvereinigung
(MIT) since 1997 Secretary General of the Young CDU Rheinland,
Cologne (1978 - 1981) Head of Office and Political Advisor of Party
leader of CDU Rheinland, Dr. Bernhard Worms (1981 - 1984)
Secretary General of the Wirtschaftsvereinigung der CDU Rheinland
(1984 - 1996) Head of Office and election campaign manager of
Partyleader of the "Ost-CDU" Lothar de Maiziére
Auditors
Maria CAPPONE, MP (BUL)
Vice-President of SME Women
Member of the Supreme Party Council of Democratic Party 2000 – 2006
Member of the Central Bureau of Democratic Party 2005 – 2006
President of the Municipal Party Council of Democratic Party, Plovdiv
2004 – 2006
Vice-President of the National Society of Women to Democratic Party
2002 –2006
Observer in the European Parliament 2005 - 2006
Head of Bulgarian Delegation to the EPP-ED-Group in European
Parliament 2005 - 2006
Member of the Board of Directors of European Democratic Path
Association
Observer in the European Parliament 2005 - 2006
Member of the Board of Directors of European Democratic Path
Association
Born on 8 April 1969, Plovdv
György BISZTRAY, (HUN)
President of SME Central
President of KKVE – SME Union Hungary
Guest Professor at the Budapest Technical College, “EU knowledge of
Technical Leaders" Since 1992 - Dipl. Eng. György Bisztray Consultant,
Austria1983 - 1991 Senior Customer Engineer of WANG GmbH in Vienna
Member of the European Advisory Board of the Wang Concern 1984
Owner and Managing Director of Vanguard Llc.Hungary 1969-1983
Servicing Engineer, Leading Servicing Engineer, Project Manager, Group
Leader of SZÁMALK in Hungary
Born on 29 October 1948, Budapest
 THE TEAM
Co-opted Presidency Members
Alexander RADWAN, MEP (GER)
President of the SME Circle
Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) and
European Democrats, Member of the Bureau
European Parliament, Member
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, Member
Delegation for relations with the Mashreq countries, Vice-Chairman
Germany, Christlich-Soziale Union in Bayern e.V.
Born on 30 August 1964, München
Othmar KARAS, MEP (AUT)
President of the SME Intergroup
Vice-President of the European Parliament
Vice-President of EPP-ED Group
Head of the Austrian EPP-ED Delegation
Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) and
European Democrats, Vice-Chairman
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, Member
Delegation for relations with Japan, Member
Austria, Österreichische Volkspartei
Born on 24 December 1957, Ybbs
Jean-Paul GAUZES, MEP (FRA)
President of SME Start-up
Committee of Inquiry into the crisis of the equitable Life Assurance
Society, Vice-Chairman Committee on Economic and Monetary
Affairs, Member Delegation for relations with the countries of
south-east Europe, Member
Delegation for relations with Iran, Member
Delegation to the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly,
Member France, Union pour un Mouvement Populaire
Born on 1 October 1947, Toulouse
Paul RÜBIG, MEP (AUT)
President of SME Global
Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats)
and European Democrats, Member of the Bureau European
Parliament, Member Committee on Industry, Research and
Energy, Member
Committee on Budgets, Substitute Delegation for relations
with Switzerland, Iceland and Norway and to the European
Economic Area (EEA) Joint Parliamentary Committee, Member
Delegation for relations with Australia and New Zealand,
Substitute Austria, Österreichische Volkspartei
Born on 6 May 1953, Wels
Corien WORTMANN-KOOL, MEP (NED)
President of SME Women
Vice President of EPP
Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) and
European Democrats, Member
European Parliament, Member
Committee on International Trade, Vice-Chairwoman
Delegation for the relations with Japan, Member
Netherlands, Christen Democratisch Appèl
Born on 27 June 1959, Oud-Alblas
7
Nadezhda MIHAYLOVA, MP (BUL)
Vice-President of SME Central
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs
Chairperson of the Right Alternative Union
Member of the International Advisory Committee to the
Democracy Coalition Project, in partnership with Bertelsmann
Foundation, Freedom House and Ghana Center for Democratic
Development
Member of the Advisory Group for Southern Leaders’ Round Table
(SLRT) to the Special Unit for South-South Cooperation
Born on 9 August 1962, Sofia
Marian Petre MILUT (ROM)
President of Christian-Democratic National Peasants' Party
(PNTCD)
President of National Union of Romanian Employers ( UNPR)
President of PREFAB Company
President of Romerica International Company
former Consultant for World Bank Romania
Born in 29 December 1955, Craiova
Philip BUSHILL-MATTHEWS, MEP (GBR)
Coordinator of the EP Employment and Social Affairs Committee
Group of the European People’s Party and European Democrats,
Member of the Bureau
Employment and Social Affairs Committee, Coordinator
Delegation for relations with Iran, Member
Delegation for relations with the countries of South Asia, Member
United Kingdom, Conservative and Unionist Party
Born on 15 January 1943, Droitwich
Head of Office
Barbara FRONTINI BIZJAK (SLO)
Entered in 2001 the Faculty of Social Sciences in Ljubljana
where she studied International Relations and Politics. Being
involved in Slovenian politics and leading a small business her-
self, her special skills are languages, business communication
and MarketingMix approach. After working in the European
Parliament she is since 15 June 2007 Head of Office at SME
UNION in Brussels.
Born on 29 November 1981, Ljubljana
Policy Adviser
Cleopatra RUSU DEACONU (ROM)
After studying law in Romania, she graduated from Vrije
Universiteit Brussels Faculty of Law with a Master Degree in
International Law and from Faculty of Economic, Social and
Political Sciences with a Master in European Integration and
Development. She worked as a legal advisor on law approxima-
tion and european integration adviser for the Ministry of
European Integration Romania. Since November 2007 she
joined the SME UNION team as policy adviser.
Born on 20 April 1977, Craiova
 GREETINGS

T he age of globalisation brings new challenges. It touches every walk of life

– opening doors, creating opportunities, raising apprehensions. It requires
imagination and adaptation. It has generated new expectations and new
demands.

More and more, Europeans look to the European Union to show how the EU is
the best tool to enable Europeans to shape globalization. Europe has every rea-
son to face globalization with confidence – it has the expertise, it has the expe-
José Manuel Barroso rience, and it has found the right balance between economic progress and
President of the social justice. Never is a strong European response more needed than at a time
European Commission of economic uncertainty and financial instability. The Lisbon strategy for growth
and jobs is proving its worth in providing the coherence needed.

At the same time, Europe is the pioneer on the path towards an economy suit-
ed to the particular challenges of the 21st century. The imperative of tackling
climate change, and the need for secure, sustainable and competitive energy,
calls for a new direction to economic modernisation. The latest proposals from
the European Commission show how the costs of change offer a far better deal
than the cost of incation, and how the process of adaptation can open up new
options and new markets.

It would be a big mistake to see these challenges as the preserve of large firms
and multinationals. Europe’s small and medium-sized businesses represent 99
% of our businesses and two thirds of employment. Europe will never achieve
its goals unless the small and medium-sized business community is fully
engaged: SMEs must be there to spearhead innovation. That is why a major
target for 2008 is developing a “Small Business Act for Europe”, to draw
together different ideas and initiatives and create a truly attractive environ-
ment for business across the Union.

The SME UNION of the EPP offers the right structure to drive a creative dia-
logue between SMEs and policy makers on the way forward: to put SMEs at
the heart of the process of modernizing the European economy and leaving it
well placed to face the challenges of the years ahead.

José Manuel Barroso

President of the European Commission

8
 GREETINGS

Dear entrepreneurs and friends of small and medium sized companies,

A s you may know, the Commission has launched in 2005 a coherent, inclu-
sive and proactive modern SME policy. We have made SMEs a key ele-
ment of the renewed Partnership for Growth and Jobs and increased the com-
mitment of stakeholders to commonly agreed goals. It is no exaggeration to
say that in a bit more than two years Europe's 23 million SMEs have moved
to the forefront of public interest not only at the EU level but also in the
Member States.

Günter Verheugen To start with, Member States have substantially improved the SMEs' environ-
Vice-President of the ment and progressed in their implementation of the 2006 Spring European
European Commission Council conclusions. In most Member States the many arms of government
and Commissioner for now extend a single hand to business through one-stop-shops. Statistics
Enterprise and Industry show that the time needed to start a business is being shortened, the cost
lowered and bureaucratic procedures reduced.

In addition, we are cutting red tape at a pace never done before. Let me men-
tion just one example: Last year we launched 10 'fast track actions' to cut
administrative costs by approximately €1.3 billion making life easier in partic-
ular for for SMEs. In 2008 we will continue implementing these 'fast track
actions' and propose further simplification measures.

I feel that all these improvements deserve recognition. But I also feel that
European SMEs have further potential to grow and to create jobs. That is why
we have pledged to put even more emphasis on SMEs in the context of the
next Lisbon cycle 2008/2010 and to propose “A Small Business Act for
Europe”. I see this as a real opportunity for all of us to truly start “Think Small
First”.

I am confident that this initiative will deliver tangible benefits to European

SMEs and citizens in the years ahead. Let me take this opportunity to thank
you for your efforts to achieve our vision of having a vibrant SME sector, thriv-
ing with globally competitive enterprises.

Yours faithfully,

Günter Verheugen
Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry

9
 GREETINGS

I n few sectors do SMEs play so vital a role as they do in the ICT sector. They
spur innovation and create jobs. We have all witnessed the emergence of rev-
olutionary new services from small companies or start-ups in the ICT sector. More
generally, SMEs in all sectors of the economy can benefit greatly from the use of
ICTs.

In i2010, the information society agenda under the Lisbon strategy, actions sup-
porting the SMEs are abundant. The establishment of the single information space
Viviane Reding and ensuring better regulation are crucial efforts. Making research funds available,
Commissioner for supporting innovation and developing inter-operable services which make life eas-
Information Society ier for SMEs are also important contributions. Fostering skills, especially in ICT and
and Media management, cannot be missed, as without these skills the benefits remain
unreaped.

We are committed to making access to research and innovation programs easier for
SMEs. Fostering open innovation systems is another promising avenue for the
development of SMEs. Furthermore, reducing administrative burdens are also a key
priority in our overall policy: Among the most important tools which can make the
life of entrepreneurs and SMEs easier are eGovernment and eBusiness tools, from
e-invoicing and logistics to automated reporting of VAT and business registries.

An integrate and user-friendly implementation of these tools dramatically reduces

time and effort spent on government paper work, data gathering, registration and
the like. If we can manage these services cross-border as well, operating across
Europe will be much easier for SMEs. Therefore we continuously work to aid the
development and take-up of these vital services as well as making communication
infrastructure better and cheaper in Europe, and I am happy to see that the work
is nom bearing fruit. We see that the most entrepreneur-friendly countries are
often the ones with the highest levels of eGovernment services for its SMEs. For
the internal market in the coming year, a continued roll-out across borders is cru-
cial, and for SMEs and entrepreneurs, I trust our efforts will continue to improve
the situation.

We are in a period of great development and many opportunities for growth in the
information society in Europe. SMEs and entrepreneurship are key to our success. I
would like to congratulate and thank the SME UNION for their helpful work, and look
forward to continuing our cooperation in the best interest of Europe in the future.

Viviane Reding
Commissioner for Information Society and Media

10
 GREETINGS

Dear Friends of the SME UNION

P olitics don’t create jobs, it is the entrepreneurial spirit of the

people that do so. Politics create the economic, fiscal and
logistic environment in which entrepreneurial initiative can pros-
per. The contribution of SME UNION to the development of such
a European economic policy is and has been crucial.

One of the most important achievements of SME UNION is the

reduction of regulatory burdens that create distortions in the
Wilfried Martens market, leading to the cutting of unnecessary red tape and
President of the EPP excessive administrative requirements for European Small busi-
ness. Apart from the internal market achievements, SME UNION
is committed to building awareness to the problems young
entrepreneurs face when starting up new companies. It has
encouraged such company start-ups by shaping a friendly envi-
ronment for their development. SME UNION has provided a
framework for the exchange of best practices among the SME
UNION national members thereby encouraging the job-creation
potential of SME’s.

Entrepreneurs and SME’s have a key role in future positive eco-

nomic development, not only inside the European Union but also
in the EU neighbouring countries. EPP and SME UNION together
promote democracy and economic growth across borders.
Entrepreneurial spirit and new companies is the key for the cre-
ation of economic growth. Promoting entrepreneurship supports
both market economy and civil society.

The European SMEs are the sleeping giants of the European

economy which now have to be awakened and mobilized. The
European SMEs are and will be the job creators in the next
years.

I want to thank SME UNION for their excellent and diligent work.
I am very grateful for their inspiring contribution to the policy
making of the European People’s Party.

Wilfried MARTENS
President of the European People’s Party

11
 GREETINGS

S mall and Medium sized Enterprises are the engine of growth and their
role is essential for a competitive and efficient market. This is also very
true for the new EU Member States, where they played an important role
since their systems have changed into a market economy.

In the past years, the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament fought for
the removal of regulatory burdens and better access to information. We
advocate better access to the capital market and want to make it easier to
Joseph Daul invest in research and technology and innovation.
President of the
EPP-ED Group The citizens of Europe expect European solutions for important European
and global challenges such as the security of energy supply, the protection
of the environment, climate change, more and better jobs and protection
against international terrorism.

Above all, these tasks need the political will of all European governments
to proceed. But -where European legislation is involved- they also need a
sound legal framework which guarantees that no energies are wasted
through unnecessary bureaucracy and that the right and desired synergy
effects are created.

We were able to ensure the permanent exchange of information between

the European Parliament and the European Commission in our efforts to
influence European legislation in favor of SMEs. In line with the principles
of our political family we want to encourage the creation of new companies
by reducing legal obstacles and facilitating access to start-up and venture
capital. Let me assure you, that the EPP-ED Group will make sure, that the
European Parliament is doing its bit to improve the quality of EU-level reg-
ulation.

The EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament will continue to make sure
that feasible and sustainable concepts for the future of the European Union
will be found and will be based on clear majorities.

With my best wishes,

Joseph Daul
President of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament

12
 GREETINGS

With the support of the SME UNION

he year 2007 was a very successful year for Europe. We signed the Lisbon
T Treaty. The Schengen area and the eurozone were enlarged. Economic
growth was promising, the euro remained strong. We concluded the year with 3.5
million new jobs, which amounts to more than the total population of Luxemburg,
Cyprus and Slovenia put together.

It is my strong belief that general prosperity can be achieved only on the basis of
a healthy economy. If we want more jobs, more growth and more prosperity, we
Janez Jansa must do more to create a more business-friendly environment, stimulate R&D and
Prime Minister support energy efficiency.
of Slovenia
and President This is the point of contact with the Lisbon objectives. The European Council in
of the European spring 2008 is the moment when the first three-year cycle of the renewed Lisbon
Council Strategy for growth and jobs will be concluded and the second cycle will com-
mence. The results show that Member States have made substantive progress.
Nevertheless, reforms must continue. We must maintain the deep political com-
mitment to reform.

In spite of the results achieved, we have to stay focused on the future. The EU
must start to proactively create global trends and not just react to them.
Entrepreneurs are those most familiar with the principle, that tomorrow's job can-
not be done using yesterday's methods.

For Slovenia, 2008 brought many new challenges. We are the first new Member
State to take over the Presidency of the EU Council. Since SMEs represent 99%
of business entities in the EU and are therefore the backbone of our economy, we
placed them at the very centre of our priorities. Accomplishing further steps on
the European Private Company Statute, the European Small Business Act and the
Single Market Package is high on our agenda.

As Demosthenes, famous ancient orator said, small opportunities are often the
beginning of great enterprises. With the support of the SME UNION of the EPP,
the views of entrepreneurs have been expressed more compellingly and also
because of that we can - and should – be optimistic when looking into the future
of a prosperous and modern European economy.

Janez Jansa
Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia
and President of the European Council

13
 GREETINGS

Dear Members of the SME UNION,

W hy Google, Amazon or eBay are not European companies? Why some among
the millions of new companies that are created every year do not become the
world leaders of the future economy?

This is one of the most essential questions that have to be taken into considera-
tion today. This is as well one of the challenges France has chosen to take up in
the framework of the new economical policies adopted by my Government after
the election of Nicolas Sarkozy as President of the Republic in May 2007.
François Fillon
French In France, the number of business creations is no more an issue: over the last 5
Prime Minister years more than 1 million companies have been created, which is really significant!
Our priority is now to propose a favorable legal, administrative, fiscal and econom-
ical environment for the development of young SMEs. Our objective is simple: in
the next 5 years we want to double the number of businesses with more than 500
employees, that is 4,000 instead of 2,000.

To achieve this objective, we are implementing a whole range of tools that concur
with a significant part of the diagnostics and recommendations given by the SME
UNION: rationalize and refocus public funds for innovation towards SMEs, simplifi-
cation of administrative tasks, simplification of procedures, fiscal incentives for
capital investment by SMEs, simplification of taxation and other social obligations
when a certain workforce number is reached by the company, reduction of pay-
ment delays, simplification when SMEs enter public market, etc.

It is an economic necessity: the growth of SMEs reduces unemployment and guar-

antees tomorrow’s prosperity. It is almost a cultural and moral duty. The entrepre-
neurship is a value we are keen to encourage, as well as the creation of jobs and
takeover of risks. These are moral values and responsibilities towards society.

The policies implemented by the European Union in this perspective are already
very ambitious. I wish that the French Presidency in the second half of 2008 estab-
lished opportunities to strengthen and develop it further.

I wish that the SME UNION keeps the power to make creative and constructive
proposals for this big common challenge to support entrepreneurship and SMEs.

Sincerely yours,

François Fillon
French Prime Minister

14
 GREETINGS

Dear members and friends of the SME UNION,

new year is upon us. A new opportunity emerges for further

A prosperity and growth for the European Union. Discussions are
being held in reference to the reformed treaty and its strategic
application to New Europe. New employment and development
strategies are been sketched for SMEs. The parties joining this dis-
cussion must clearly understand how this vital economic sector
operates. Further they must develop strategies that would assist
SMEs to remain resilient, competitive and sustainable.
Christos Folias
Minister of It is evident and it needs no further proof that small and medium-size
Development businesses play a vital role in every economy. They contribute signif-
of Greece icantly to the volume of output of goods and services, create employ-
ment, stimulate competition in the economy, and feed large organi-
zations with raw materials, semi-finished goods and parts.

However, the leading question that needs to be addressed and tack-

led via specific and clear policies is the question of sustainability. All
policy makers must understand that now is the time to organize a
clear and realistic agenda for the European Union that will lead to the
necessary answers.

The message from Greece is strong: New Democracy, the political

party of which I am a proud member and cabinet Minister, is deter-
mined to provide its full-hearted support to the Union in seeing SMEs
earn the attention and the policy-backing they deserve. I am happy
to see that the Commission’s program for this year is heavily focused
on working towards that direction.

In addition we need to raise the viability of the role of SMEs in glob-

al supply and chain networks. We will also offer support and enhance
initiatives such as “10m+” for the sake of a better and fairer Europe.

Christos Folias
Minister of Development of Greece
SME UNION Honorary Member

15
 2007
HIGHLIGHTS

January 2007: Leitl and Verheugen join November 2007: Verheugen receives
forces in fight against red tape SME UNION Political Entrepreneurship Award

A
ccording to the
European Commission, A fter our suc-
cessful fight for
administrative burdens cost the increase of the
European businesses up to de-minimis-limit for
600 billion EUR a year. national funding to
Especially small and medi- 200.000 EUR we will
um-sized enterprises are now unite all our
hindered in their growth efforts to reach our
and innovation capacity by next ambitious aim:
too many and too compli- The cut of the red
cated regulations”, argued tape burden by 25
President Leitl at his mee- percent until 2010”,
ting with EU Commission emphasized SME
Vice-President Günter UNION President
Verheugen. The Leitl at the Annual
Commission wants to cut SME UNION Political
the red tape burden by 25 percent by 2012 which could lead Entrepreneurship
to an increase of European GDP of 1.5 percent. President Award Ceremony.
Leitl demanded to cut the administrative burden by 25 per- The Award was given to Günter Verheugen, European
cent already until 2010. President Leitl handed over to Vice- Commission Vice-President and EU Commissioner for
President Verheugen a piggybank which symbolizes the Enterprise and Industry. “When Commissioner Verheugen
money European business could save and invest if red tape got his dossiers enterprise and industry, I was a bit worried
was reduced substantially. Verheugen eluded on the SME who would take care of SMEs in the Commission. But Vice-
initiatives of the Commission and underlined. “Not to leave President Verheugen promised that he would not forget the
this important issue to the administrative apparatus. We special needs of small entrepreneurs and he kept his word”,
need politicians who drive this issue forward”. President Leitl concluded Leitl. Verheugen replied that he will continue to
reiterated the full support of the SME UNION of the EPP in listen carefully to the voice of the business organization of
these substantial issues. the EPP, the SME UNION.

16
 2007
SUCCESSES

The SME UNION completed in 2007 a lot of pressing issues to help

SMEs across the European Union to get started and to grow:

De-minimis threshold has been extended from 100.000 to

200.000 EUR. This is a huge success for SMEs which allows
national aids up to that amount in a three-year-period to be
granted without permission from Brussels. That means less
bureaucracy and quick and easy help.

The new pilot project ERASMUS for young entrepreneurs

brings SMEs a great step forward and fosters the entrepre-
neurial spirit of young European business people. The launch
of the European Commission’s new program end of 2007 also
means a big success for the SME UNION as we have already
demanded a real exchange program for employers and entre-
preneurs in our 10m+ Program in March 2006 asking the
Commission to become active.

SME UNION demanded extended finance for the

Competitiveness and Innovation Program (CIP) for
SMEs. Success: An additional 400 million EUR in the budget
and 1 billion EUR from European Investment Bank reserves
for CIP.

The SME UNION fought for a quick implementation of Joint

European Resources for Micro to Medium Enterprises
(JEREMIE) which was implemented on January 1, 2007. JERE-
MIE promotes increased access to finance for the develop-
ment of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the
regions of the EU.

SME UNION demanded and fought for an increase in funding

for LEONARDO (EU program for transnational work place-
ments, vocational education and training). Success: Adoption
of an additional 800 million EUR for 2007-2013 and an addi-
tional 100 million EUR for Lifelong Learning Program.

17
 EVENTS
2007-01-19, Logrono, Spain,
International SME Union Spain Conference
T he SME UNION of the
EPP together with the
SME Union of Partido
Popular and the EPP
-ED Group organized
an International SME
Conference on "Oppor-
tunities for SMEs & Family
Enterprises from La Rioja in
the EU" in Logrono, Spain
opening the SME UNION
new year 2007. Spanish
MEP Esther Herranz-Garcia,
José Maria Ruiz-Alejos, President of the Chamber of
Commerce and Industry La Rioja, María Isabel Saénz-
Solano, President of the Rioja Association of Family
Enterprises, and Patrick Voller, Secretary General of SME
UNION, welcomed the participants and showed facts and
figures of the current situation of Spanish SMEs and their
employees while keynote speaker Pedro Sanz, President of
La Rioja and member of PP, emphasised the importance to
transfer weaknesses into strengths. and mentioned the
office of La Rioja in Brussels, to which Spanish entrepre-
neurs can turn to with their questions or in order to receive
support in addition to SME Union Spain.
2007-01-26, Budapest, Hungary, 7th Annual
International SME KKVE Conference
M ore than a hundred people gath-
ered to discuss the topic of "SME
Micro-Financing, Better Regulation &
Integration of Hungarian SMEs". The
President of the Hungarian SME
Union KKVE, György Bisztray, wel-
comed participants. His opening
remarks were followed by the speech
of Peter Jungen, Co-President of the
18
SME UNION, emphasizing the importance of the confer-
ence's topic. Mihály Varga, former Hungarian minister of
finance welcomed the guests in the name of the Hungarian
conservative party FIDESZ. Zsolt Becsey MEP moderated
the discussion about "Micro Financing SMEs in the European
Union" and the keynote speech was given by Ivan Pilip,
Vice-President of the European Investment Bank. He con-
vinced the entrepreneurs that supporting SMEs is one of his
main objectives.
2007-02-06, Brussels, SME UNION Working
Breakfast with national MPs
O n the occasion of the 3rd Joint
Parliamentary Meeting on the Lisbon
Strategy the SME UNION in cooperation
with SME Circle organized a Working
Breakfast moderated by Malcolm
Harbour, MEP and Vice-President of the
SME UNION. Gerard De Graaf, Head of
Unit for Strategic Objective Prosperity -
Lisbon Strategy stressed the importance
of keeping up the pace by better educat-
ing entrepreneurs and easing bureaucra-
cy and Klaus-Heiner Lehne, Shadow Rapporteur in the
European Parliament talked about the importance to link
economic growth with job growth as well as a better patent
policy for SMEs. Ludek Sefzik, ODS Member of the Senat of
Parliament of the Czech Republic pointed out that European
countries have to focus on reforming their social policy, the
internal market and crossboarder competition.
2007-02-12/13 SME UNION visit to Sofia, Bulgaria
T he purpose of this
visit was to brain-
storm about future
cooperation with our two
new SME UNION mem-
bers of the EPP in
Bulgaria, the SME Union
of the Democratic
 EVENTS

Alternative of Nadezhda Mihaylova, Member of the Bulgarian 2007-03-02, Lisbon, Portugal,

Parliament and former Minister for Foreign Affairs as well as SME UNION Working Visit to PSD
the SME Union of the European Democratic Path of Maria
Cappone, Member of the Bulgarian Parliament, former
Observer at the European Parliament. SME UNION President
Christoph Leitl could meet with the two new SME UNION
member organizations in Bulgaria at the Institute of
Stability and Security in South-East Europe as well as with
representatives and mayors of the Association of Bulgarian
Regions and Cities and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung direc-
tor for Bulgaria, Ralf Jaksch to discuss SME support for the
new EU member state.

2007-02-27, Brussels, SME Global Working Breakfast

on Roaming Tariffs & SMEs: For an Improved
Common Market

P rofessional
statements,
impulse
various
opinions and a fruitful dis-
cussion lead to a common
progress. After a short intro- S ecretary General of the SME UNION Patrick Voller fol-
lowed an invitation of the Portuguese PSD Party which
duction Paul Rübig MEP, belongs to the EPP to a bi-lateral political SME exchange day
pointed out the importance in Lisbon. Voller visited the PSD headquarter and got
of the change in roaming together with Manuel Lancastre, Vice-President of PSD,
tariffs when facing 25 mil- Antonio Almeida Henriques, Vice-President of the
lion SMEs in Europe. Parliamentary Group of PSD and Duarte Pacheco, Secretary
Furthermore he emphasized the need of transparency with- General of PSD accompanied by SME Union Portugal "veter-
in the mobile communications business. Not only the fact an" Joao Kramer. They had fruitful discussions about the
that the EU faces approximately 6,400 bilateral agreements SME UNION activities within the European Union and also
led Rudolf Strohmeier, Head of Cabinet Office of European developed further steps towards a closer cooperation
ICT Commissioner Viviane Reding to the statement that we between PSD, Portuguese associations and the SME UNION.
must not forget the protection of the consumer to ensure a For lunch Patrick Voller met also the EPP Vice-President
clear overview over prices. Frank Krüger, Telecom and ICT Mario David, close adviser of Commission President Barroso.
Attaché of German Permanent Representation stressed that In the afternoon Patrick Voller met Vice-President of the
the EU needs tariffs for all new contracts by default to reach Portuguese Industrial Association, Manuel Gamito. It was
common limits and consumer protection in a reasonable successful visit to Lisbon and offered new possibilities for a
way. Gunnar Hökmark MEP noted the fact that neutrality closer co-operation between the SME UNION and the PSD in
plays an important role and highlighted the risks of any order to enhance the Small and Medium-Sized
price regulation. The aim now is to create a more SME Entrepreneurs in Portugal and in Europe. The SME UNION
friendly framework for the common modulated mobile com- expresses its gratitude to Manuel Lacastre, who coordinated
munication market. this visit.

19
 EVENTS

2007-03-06, Brussels, Working Breakfast on 2007-03-15, SME UNION Visit to Chisinau, Moldova
Corporate Social Responsibility: Further Red Tape or
Chance for SMEs?
F rom 15 until 17 March
2007, Patrick Voller
followed the invitation of
the Christian Democratic
People's Party (CDPP) of
Moldova and rendered a
visit to representatives in
Chisinau on behalf of the
SME UNION of the EPP. Main
purpose of all meetings was
the re-launch of the SME
Union CDPP Moldova, rea-
son why friends of the SME
UNION and distinguished members of the party joined the
discussions. The participants also included a delegation from
PNTCD SME Union Romania and National Union of Romanian
Employers (UNPR) consisting of Pavel Platona, Caius Iliescu
and Martin Valentin. Patrick Voller expressed his gratitude
about the professional organization of this successful meet-

T he SME UNION and the European Association of Craft

Small and Medium-seized Enterprises (UEAPME) organ-
ing to Vladimir Plamadeala, Lia Bejenaru and Constantin
Vishku. His thanks were also addressed to all the partici-
ized a Working Breakfast in the European Parliament to dis- pants attending this high-level event.
cuss the report of the European Parliament on "Corporate
Social Responsibility". The moderator of the breakfast SME 2007-03-27, Brussels, Conference on Challenges
UNION Vice-President MEP Philip Bushill-Matthews and Facing SMEs in the New Member States
newly elected Coordinator of the EP Employment and Social
Affairs Committee, emphasized that CSR should not be an
instrument for strangling SMEs but a further opportunity to T he SME UNION and
ACCA, the Association
enable growth within European SMEs. Hans-Werner Müller, of Chartered Certified
Secretary General of UEAMPE, stressed that the aim of CSR Accountants, hosted a
has to be to generate a win-win situation for both - enter- successful conference on
prises and employees - and CSR should remain on a volun- "Challenges Facing SMEs in
tarily basis, as it now is. Giuseppe Cacciato, Head of Unit the New Member States" in
CSR in DG Enterprise and Genevieve Besse, CSR Policy the Hotel Renaissance in
Director in the DG Employment, pointed out that the CSR Brussels. The three panels
approach should be closely linked with the Lisbon Strategy on "Access to Growth
in order to generate more economic growth. Philip Bushill- Finance", "Less and Better
Matthews concluded by saying: "The European Commission Regulation for Central and Eastern European countries" and
is on the side of European businesses and together with the "Access to EU funding" were attended by more than 80 par-
SME UNION and the SME Circle we are a mighty force." ticipants with business and political background. The confer-

20
 EVENTS
ence was opened by David Aitken-Davies, Vice-President of
ACCA, Peter Jungen, Co-President of the SME UNION, Maive
Rute, Director DG Enterprise and Zuzana Roithova, Czech
MEP. The event featured high-level speakers from the
European Parliament like Valdis Dombrovskis MEP, Vice-
President of SME UNION, Alexander Radwan MEP, President
of the SME Circle, Gay Mitchell MEP, Jan Brezina MEP, Jerzy
Buzek MEP and former Polish Prime Minister. Jan Tombinski,
ambassador of the Permanent Representation to the
European Communities honored SME UNION and ACCA and
closed the conference stressing the importance of SMEs to
European economies and of their maintaining their inde-
pendence from bigger companies.
2007-05-11, Berlin, Germany,
SME UNION General Assembly 2007
A t the SME UNION
General Assembly,
President Christoph Leitl,
Co-President Peter Jungen
and the 6 Vice-Presidents
were reelected to lead the
small business task force of
the European People's Party
in the coming two years.
T he SME UNION General Assembly was hosted by the
German SME Union MIT and included a fruitful political
dialogue with representatives of the German EU Presidency
including Secretaries of State Hartmut Schauerte and
Thomas Rachel.
N ew in the team are Bulgarian MP and former Foreign
Minister Nadezhda Mihaylova, MEP Corien Wortmann-
Kool as new SME Women President, Bulgarian MP and for-
mer EP Observer Maria Cappone, Romanian PNTCD
President Marian Petre Milut, MEP Philip Bushill-Matthews as
Coordinator of the EP Employment and Social Affairs
Committee and MEP Jean-Paul Gauzès as SME Start-up
President from the French UMP.
P resident Leitl thanked the members
for their trust and summed up the
successes of the SME UNION during the
last two years of his term: The SME UNION
grew a lot and has now for the first time
members and network partner in all 27 EU
member countries. Lobbying successes
could be met as regards a higher de min-
imis limit for national SME funding, better
financial conditions for SMEs in the Basel
II framework, less toxic regulations for
small businesses as regards the EU Chemical Directive
REACH, a compromise on the Services Directive brokered
with the help of our organisation to open up the EU servic-
es market, a strong 10m+ program which found its way in
the EU Council Conclusions of the Austrian Presidency
demanding 10 million new jobs until 2010 and the coopera-
tion with EU Commissioner Verheugen on the reduction of
EU induced red tape by 25% until 2010 which showed the
first results. "The years to the upcoming elections to the
European Parliament in 2009 will be crucial for Europe's
future as important decisions have to be taken and chal-
lenges met", emphasized re-elected SME UNION President
Christoph Leitl.
21
 EVENTS
2007-05-15, Brussels, SME Working Breakfast on
Rome I: A threat to SMEs?
T he SME UNION in coopera-
tion with EuroCommerce and
the Federation of Small
Businesses (FSB) organized a
Working Breakfast discussing the
Rome I proposal and particularly
its Article 5 which threatens
European SMEs. Moderator
Malcolm Harbour MEP, Vice-President of the SME UNION and
Member of the EP Committee on the Internal Market and
Consumer Protection underlined to look at the whole topic from
the broader Consumer Protection point of view. Andrew Cave,
Senior Adviser for EU and International Affairs at UK FSB, said
that "The European Commission's Rome I proposal (Art.5) intro-
duces barriers to cross-border e-commerce, it deprives the con-
sumer of choice, inhibits the growth of e-commerce and contra-
dicts the principle of the single market." Patrice Pelegrino,
Adviser on Internal Market and Consumer Affairs and Fiscal
Affairs at EuroCommerce. Pelegrino underlined that the Rome I
Proposal is not well defined. He expressed the need for proper
enforcement of rules that can boost an active common market.
2007-05-16, Brussels, SME Working Breakfast on
International Financial Reporting Standards for SMEs
S ME UNION in cooperation with the
European Association of Craft,
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
(UEAPME) and the European Savings
Banks Group (ESBG) organized a
Working Breakfast to discuss
International Financial Reporting
Standards for SMEs. Piotr Madziar
emphasized that there is a direct rela-
tionship between the IAS regulation and IFRS for SMEs does
not exist. Kristina Maksinen stressed that ESBG Members are
introducing different tools for credit decision making and they
have a neutral approach as regards to financial statements. Luc
Hendrickx concluded that the mandatory implementation of
22
IFRS, or a different set of new rules, based on those developed
for listed companies, would generate substantial administrative
burden and a financial cost for SMEs that is likely to outweigh
any positive effects. MEP Radwan highlighted that the European
Parliament has three parts to work on during the upcoming
process: the need of SME standards in general, question of
convergence to the US, governance & transparency issues.
2007-05-22, Poznan,
SME Union Poland Energy Conference
U NICORN SME Union Poland
in cooperation with the SME
UNION of the EPP, Poznan
International Fair EXPOPOWER
and the Association of Polish
Middle Class organized an
International Conference entitled
"Entering the Renewable Era of
Sustainable Energy - EU and Energy Challenges of the Future"
in Poznan, Poland. The event was hosted by the Poznan
International Fair. This high level debate focused on energy and
climate change issues. Participants of the event were warmly
welcomed by Przemyslaw Trawa, the Poznan International Fair
Representative, Jerzy Samborski, President of UNICORN SME
Union Poland, Peter Jungen, Co-President of the SME UNION
and Piotr Kolodziejczak, Secretary of the President of the City
of Poznan. Dr Fred Goldberg from Sweden demonstrated that
human CO2-emissions have had rather little impact on the cli-
mate. Christopher C. Horner, Director of External Relations and
Policy Counsel, European Enterprise Institute and author of the
bestseller "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Global Warming
and Environmentalism" assessed the EU Kyoto Protocol and
made a comparison between the US and Europe's emissions
performance. David Seich delegate of the Prime Minister of the
Czech Republic Mirek Topolanek, President of SME Union Czech
Republic and Patrick Voller Secretary General of the SME
UNION spoke about EU energy policy. Tuomo J. Hattaka, Head
of Business Group Vattenfall Poland focused future develop-
ment of the energy market in Poland. Peter Jungen, Co-
President of the SME UNION of the EPP underlined the impor-
tance of less regulation.
 SME
CIRCLE

A s regards the better regulation initiative of the European Commission the year 2007
again was a rather ambivalent one. It's more than three years now that the
Commission started to preach the paradigm shift - less and better regulation for the ben-
efits of small and medium sized enterprises instead of new red tape. But in fact, one part
of the Commission does some efforts for simplification and deregulation whereas the other
parts continue their business as usual by tabling new legislation at the expenses of SMEs.
The proposal on food labelling, the efforts to introduce class action legal basis as well as
the preparation on extending the anti-discrimination are only a few examples serving as
Alexander Radwan MEP evidence. Does Commission's right hand know what the left hand does?
President of the
SME Circle of the The SME Circle in the EPP-ED Group is keen on contributing bringing the deregulation ini-
EPP-ED Group tiative back on track. SME Circle Vice-Chairman Philip Bushill-Matthews MEP took over the
position as EPP-ED-Coordinator in the Employment and Social Affairs Committee with great
success. Together with SME Circle Member Thomas Mann as Vice Chairman of the
Committee this allows for a strong entrepreneurial position in this field in the European
Parliament. Hence, in supporting the concepts of Flexicurity and the social responsibility of
enterprises (CSR) a workable and voluntary approach could be maintained. It could be
considered as success that the Commission announced to abstain from further regulating
European labour law.

The SME Circle took also part in the further development of the Single Market. The Single
Euro Payment Area (SEPA) that has been successfully realised and implemented in the
beginning of this year allowing SMEs to carry out cross boarder payments cheaper and
quicker. First steps have been made to harmonise and coordinate the consumer legislations
in Europe. The SME Circle thereby always attached great importance to not introducing
more red tape by exceeding the current level of consumer protection.

The 2008 agenda will bring forward a considerable number of developments which could
be crucial for SMEs at European level. The European Parliament and the EU Member States
will take further steps in the fields of EU company law and accounting, the functioning of
the internal market for goods and the European Small Business Act which has been
announced as the SME UNION topic of the year. The course for the 2009 European elec-
tions is to be set today. This does not only affect the future representation of SMEs in the
European Parliament but also the composition of the European Commission after 2009.

Alexander Radwan MEP

President of the SME Circle of the EPP-ED Group

23
 SME
CIRCLE

President Honorary President Vice-President

Alexander RADWAN MEP Karla PEIJS Marianne THYSSEN MEP
Germany Netherlands Belgium

Vice-President Vice-President Vice-President Member State Coordinator Political Advisor

Piia-Noora KAUPPI MEP Etelka BARSI-PATAKY MEP Philip BUSHILL-MATTHEWS MEP Christoph KONRAD MEP Tobias LINNEMANN
Finland Hungary United Kingdom Germany Germany

Othmar KARAS MEP Paul RÜBIG MEP Richard SEEBER MEP Nickolay MLADENOV MEP Jan BREZINA MEP
Austria Austria Austria Bulgaria Czech Republic

Petr DUCHON MEP Jan ZAHRADIL MEP Tunne KELAM MEP Alexander STUBB MEP Ari VATANEN MEP Jean Pierre AUDY MEP Marie-Helene DESCAMPS
Czech Republic Czech Republic Estonia Finland France France France

Françoise GROSSETETE MEP Margie SUDRE MEP Alain LAMASSOURE MEP Tokia SAIFI MEP Jacques TOUBON MEP Daniel CASPARY MEP Jan Christian EHLER MEP
France France France France France Germany Germany

Karl-Heinz FLORENZ MEP Ingo FRIEDRICH MEP Dieter-Lebrecht KOCH MEP Werner LANGEN MEP Klaus-Heiner LEHNE MEP Thomas MANN MEP Hans-Peter MAYER MEP
Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany

24
 SME
CIRCLE

Markus PIEPER MEP Andreas SCHWAB MEP Thomas ULMER MEP Karl von WOGAU MEP Anja WEISGERBER MEP Marie PANAYOTOPOULOS- Nikolaos VAKALIS MEP
Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany CASSIOTOU MEP Greece
Greece

Ioannis VARVITSIOTIS MEP Zsolt BECSEY MEP Christian ROVSING Avril DOYLE MEP Gay MITCHELL MEP Michl EBNER MEP Guido PODESTA MEP
Greece Hungary Denmark Ireland Ireland Italy Italy

Valdis DOMBROVSKIS MEP Aldis KUSKIS MEP Laima Liucija Astrid LULLING MEP Simon BUSUTTIL MEP Corien WORTMANN-KOOL MEP Jerzy BUZEK MEP
Latvia Latvia ANDRIKIENE MEP Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Poland
Lithuania

Malgorzata HANDZLIK MEP Filip KACZMAREK MEP Jacek PROTASIEWICZ MEP Esther HERRANZ Cristobal MONTORO Sergio MARQUES MEP Jose SILVA PENEDA MEP
Poland Poland Poland GARCIA MEP ROMERO MEP Portugal Portugal
Spain Spain

Jan HUDACKY MEP Miroslav MIKOLASIK MEP Peter STASTNY MEP Mihael BREJC MEP Romana JORDAN Alojz PETERLE MEP Iuliu WINKLER MEP
Slovakia Slovakia Slovakia Slovenia CIZELJ MEP Slovenia Romania
Slovenia

Gunnar HÖKMARK MEP Richard James Giles Bryan Malcolm HARBOUR MEP James NICHOLSON MEP John PURVIS MEP
Sweden ASHWORTH MEP CHICHESTER MEP United Kingdom United Kingdom United Kingdom
United Kingdom United Kingdom

25
 EVENTS
2007-06-04, Brussels, SME Day 2007: Small
Companies - Big Ideas
icrosoft in cooperation with
M the European Parliament
Magazine, SME UNION and other
organisations organized a Gala
Dinner to discuss current key
problems facing SMEs. Moderator
Pavel Telicka, co-founder of BXL
Consulting and a former Czech
Commissioner to the European
Union opened the Gala Dinner by
welcoming the guests from the European Parliament, the
European Commission, Entrepreneurs and especially the SME
UNION. The impulse statements were given by Craig Mundie,
Chief Research and Strategy Officer of Microsoft, Philip Bushill-
Matthews, Vice- President of the SME Circle and Ben Noteboom,
Randstad CEO. The following day, Microsoft held its third annu-
al SME Day done in partnership with more than 50 organizations
including the SME UNION, four student entrepreneur organiza-
tions (JADE, Junior Achievement, AISEC, and AEGEE) as well as
Entrepreneur Trade Associations Europe's 500 and Euro ISPA
(representing Europe's ISVs). Craig Mundie's panel included
John Sammis, Economic Affairs from the US Mission, Minister
Turk from Slovenia, Dean Brown of INSEAD, and Jean Schmitt
of Sofinnova Venture Capital. It was moderated by former WSJ
Europe Bureau Chief, Rich Hudson. Craig Mundie provided
insight into the future trends of computing opportunities.
2007-06-05, Brussels, SME - Orgalime Working
Breakfast on European Mechanical Engineering
T he SME UNION in coop-
eration with Orgalime
(European Engineering Industries
Association) held the Working
Breakfast "European Mechanical
Engineering: Keeping this
European SME Industry as the
World Champion" in the
European Parliament. MEP
26
Ruebig Member of the EP Committee on Industry, Research
and Energy (ITRE) mentioned that the "Mechanical
Engineering sector is one of the most important industries
in Europe and provides systems for all other manufacturing
branches. It is the world's largest producer and exporter of
machinery". Adrian Harris, Secretary General of Orgalime,
who was a member of the EngineEurope High-level discus-
sion group, presented the report "EngineEurope: For a thriv-
ing European Mechanical Engineering industry in the 21st
century". Deputy Head of Unit Mechanical and Electrical
Equipment of the European Commission Maria Spiliopoulou-
Kaparia, also a member of the EngineEurope High-level dis-
cussion group, mentioned that one of the biggest problems
for the Mechanical Engineering world is a lack of skilled
workers. Vice-President of the SME UNION MEP Harbour
Member of the Committee Industry, Research and Energy
(ITRE) requested that member states set up support espe-
cially for SMEs.
2007-06-06 Brussels, SME Working Lunch "WTO, ITA
& High-Tech SMEs: Encouraging Growth Through
Open Markets"
ompTIA, the SME
C UNION, and SME
Global organized the
Working Lunch in hotel
Ranaissance entitled
"WTO, ITA & High-
Tech SMEs: Encouraging
Growth Through Open
Markets". Paul Rübig
MEP, President of SME
Global, in his welcome
speech introduced the
speakers and stressed the need for new improved regu-
lations and free trade. Hugo Lueders, European Director
of Public Policy, Computing Technology Industry
Association (CompTIA) emphasized the importance of
discussed topic for SMEs as they are the backbone of the
industry and key for productivity. Tapani Mikkeli, DG
Enterprise Deputy Head of Unit, Technology for
 EVENTS
Innovation, ICT Industries and e-business, highlighted
that the Information Technology Agreement is complicat-
ed and we should be aware that since it was concluded in
1996 the framework for the IT has changed. Robert
Kramer, Vice-President, CompTIA Global Public Policy
stated that European companies will start searching for
markets outside Europe. Peter Stastny MEP, Member of
the EP Committee on International Trade emphasized
that Europe has to catch-up with the US, where SMEs are
the backbone of the economy.
2007-06-27, Brussels, SME Working Breakfast on
Sustainable Tourism & SMEs
T he SME UNION
in cooperation
with SME Tourism
organized a Working
Breakfast on the
topic of Sustainable
Tourism & SMEs. Jan
Christian Ehler MEP,
Member of the SME
Circle and SME
Tourism President
stressed the impor-
tance of tourism for
European SMEs and
mentioned that 90%
of all companies involved in European tourism are SMEs.
Francesco Ianniello, Head of Unit Tourism, DG Enterprise
and Industry, highlighted the idea that the European
tourism has to be both competitive and sustainable.
Margie Sudre MEP, Chairwoman of the European
Parliament Intergroup on Tourism, pointed out on 26
June 2007, a report regarding a new policy concerning
the tourism framework was adopted. The director of SME
Tourism spoke about European Holiday Coordination Plan
mentioned the setting up of the SME Tourism and its clear
responsibility. During the discussion Czech MEP Petr
Duchon gave examples of sustainable tourism in his
country.
2007-06-28, Brussels, SME Working Breakfast on
Marketing of Products Regulation & SMEs
T he SME UNION in cooperation
with the European Builders
Confederation and NormAPME organ-
ized a Working Breakfast on the topic
of Marketing of Products Regulation
and SMEs. Moderator Andreas
Schwab MEP, Member of the SME Circle of the EPP-ED Group
and Shadow Rapporteur of the Marketing of Products
Regulation welcomed all the participants. Michel Ayral,
Regulatory Policy Director, DG Enterprise and Industry, under-
lined the importance of the actions in the field of marketing of
products legislation. As regards the Marketing of Products sec-
torial regulation, Agnès Thibault, Secretary General of the EBC,
presented the amendments that the Confederation developed
together with NormAPME. Sven Kaiser, Chair of the Council
Working Group on Technical Harmonisation of the German EU
Presidency argued for the necessity of taking SME relevant
needs into the discussion. Hans-Werner Müller, President of
NormAPME stressed the fact that the text of the Commission
needs to be amended in order to support the fair competition.
2007-07-04, Brussels, Farewell Party at SME UNION
A farewell party for Barbara
Schweighofer, SME UNION Head of
Office took place at SME UNION head-
quarters. The event gathered about 50
people. Thank-you and farewell speech-
es were given by Jerzy Samborski, Vice-
President of the SME UNION, Patrick
Voller Secretary General, Hans-Dieter
Lehnen, Secretary General of the German SME Union MIT,
Karlheinz Kopf, SME UNION Treasurer and Luc Vandeputte,
Deputy Secretary General of the EPP. After the official part the
guests were invited to a buffet. The SME UNION family
expressed its greatest satisfaction with the work and dedication
from Barbara Schweighofer during the last three years and
wished her all the best for her next steps and future endeav-
ors. The new Head of Office is Barbara Bizjak from Slovenia.
27
 EVENTS
2007-07-06, Malta, 10th Anniversary
of SME Union Malta SIZM PN
T he 10th anniversary
celebration of the SME
Union Malta was organized
by the team of Alexander
Vassallo, President of SME
Union Malta SIZM PN. On
Friday 6 July the Cocktail
Reception under the patron-
age of the Prime Minister of
Malta Lawrence Gonzi was a
great success. Censu Galea,
the Competitiveness and Communication Minister of Malta,
Edwin Vassallo, State Secretary for Small Business and the
Self Employed of the Ministry of Finance and Economic
Affairs and Joe Saliba, the Secretary General of the National
Party of Malta, attended the festivity. Simon Busuttil, Karl
von Wogau and Jean-Pierre Audy, from the side of SME
Circle, were among the congratulators. SME Global
President Paul Rübig, the two SME UNION Vice-Presidents
Valdis Dombrovskis MEP and Jean-Michel Ferrand MP con-
gratulated SME Union Malta SIZM PN to their 10th
Anniversary. The evening began with greeting words of SME
Union Malta SIZM PN President Alexander Vassallo and the
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi. SME UNION Vice-President
Jean-Michel Ferrand and SME UNION Secretary General
Patrick Voller congratulated, in the name of SME UNION, the
"birthday child" SIZM PN Malta with personal speeches.
2007-09-12, Brussels, CompTIA, SME UNION
Working Lunch on EU competition policy
he SME UNION organ-
T ized together with
the Computing Techno-
logy Industry Association
(CompTIA) a working lunch
on the topic "Limits to
Competition Policy: Where
do we go from here?" SME
28
UNION Vice-President Malcolm Harbour MEP, Member of the
Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection
welcomed the participants. Simon Tilford, Chief Economist,
Centre for European Reform moderated the discussions ini-
tiated by Alec Burnside, partner Linklaters, Brussels and
London and Lars Liebeler, CompTIA anti-trust counselor,
Washington D.C. Alec Burnside discussed the impact on the
European competition policy of the reformed treaty result-
ing from the summer negotiations, especially the removal of
competition as one of the key objectives of the European
Union under the pressure of French President Nicolas
Sarkozy. Lars Liebeler presented CompTIAs position that
favours clear and understandable rules promoting the
growth of the IT industry and investment. Bernardo de
Miguel of the Spanish economic newspaper Cinco Días ques-
tioned whether it was time to create an independent
European authority in charge of competition outside the
European Commission.
2007-09-19, Brussels, Working Breakfast SME Health
T he SME UNION in
cooperation with SME
Health, the SME Circle and
the European Academy of
Sciences and Arts organ-
ized a Working Breakfast
on the topic of "Health is
Wealth: Towards a Euro-
pean Le(a)d Market in
Healthcare". Moderator
Paul Rübig MEP, President
of SME Global and Member of the EP Industry, Research and
Energy Committee stressed the importance of healthcare,
not only in terms of life quality for the European citizens, but
also for the economy. Felix Unger, President of SME Health,
President of the EASA and Professor and heart surgeon
highlighted the fact that the European policy concerning the
healthcare is out of date. Karl-Jürgen Schmitt, Director
Public Relations and Health Policy Siemens AG, underlined
the importance of Research & Development in the health-
care sector. Subsequently Jack Watters, Pfizer Vice-
 EVENTS
President External Medical Affairs International, described
his main points on the topic. Avril Doyle MEP, Member of the
EP Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food
Safety reminded to think of the negative effects of wide
spread diseases like obesity. Hungarian MEP Antonio De
Blasio criticised that today's system lacks prevention incen-
tives and only deals with the symptoms, but not with the
causes of most illnesses.
2007-09-28, Bucharest, Romania, SME UNPR
Conference on Transport and Infrastructure
O n the eve of the
conference, 27
September 2007 the
guest speakers were
invited to a dinner at the
newly renovated PNTCD
headquarters. Marian
Petre Milut, President of
PNTCD, announced at the event the candidates of PNTCD for
the European Parliament elections in the presence of Calin
Popescu-Tariceanu, Prime Minister of Romania and Emil
Constantinescu, President Popular Alliance and former
President of Romania with great media attention. On 28
September 2007 the SME UNION of the EPP in cooperation with
the National Union of Romanian Employers (UNPR) organized a
Conference on the topic: Transport and Infrastructure in
Romania: Enhancing infrastructure: Highway to prosperity.
Marian Petre Milut, President, National Union of Romanian
Employers (UNPR) thanked all participants for contributing to
the conference. Dan
Iliescu, State Advisor for
the Romanian Prime
Minister confirmed the
Romanian Government
priorities in the field of
infrastructure. Zoltan
Kazatsay, Deputy
Director General, Energy and Transport DG, European
Commission mentioned that EU Transport policy must adopt
itself to new challenges in order to be competitive. Nadeszhda
Mihaylova, former Bulgarian Minister of External Affaires, Vice-
President of SME Central presented the situation of transport
field in Bulgaria and Patrick Moulin, Secretary General of SME
Union France of UMP and President of SME Aerospace &
Defence introduced the Solution for the European air transport
network. Ludovic Orban, Minister of Transport, Romania
stressed the importance of an accelerated process in order to
realize the projects for modernization of Romanian infrastruc-
ture. Martin Eichtinger, Austrian Ambassador-Designate to
Romania, showed a special interest in Romanian transport pol-
icy. Augustin Hagiu President of Romanian Transport Operators’
Federation emphasized the infrastructure problems facing the
Romanian transport operators.
2007-10-02 Ljubljana, SME Union Slovenia
conference with Commissioner Reding
he International Confer-
T ence on "Information
Technology and Intergener-
ational Dialogue" was organized
by the SME Union Slovenia in
cooperation with the SME
UNION of the European People's
Party. The special guest of honor
was EU Commissioner for
Information Society and Media,
Viviane Reding.
Speakers attending the conference included Tomaz Toplak,
President of the SME Union Slovenia, President & CEO in
Pension Investment Company in Slovenia. Alojz Peterle MEP,
Vice-President and SME representative for the EPP; Viviane
Reding, Commissioner for Information Society and Media;
Jean Michel Ferrand, Vice-President of the SME UNION of
the EPP, UMP National Secretary for SMEs, Member of the
National Assembly of France; Luc Vandeputte, EPP Deputy
Secretary General; Andrej Vizjak, Minister of Economy in
Slovenia; Goran Radman, Microsoft South-East Europe,
Chairman; Mihael Brejc MEP, Head of Slovene EPP-ED dele-
gation; Sergej Koperdak, CompTIA, EU Policy Advisor,
Central and Eastern Europe; Gregor Virant, Minister of
Public Administration of the Republic of Slovenia.
29
 EVENTS

2007-10-03 Brussels, SME UNION and European
Franchise Federation Conference on SMEs and
Franchising
T he SME UNION in cooperation with European Franchise
Federation organized a Conference on the topic: The World
of Franchising: Chances & Challenges for SMEs. James Sernett,
Chairman of the European Franchise Federation mentioned that
franchisors and SME franchisees try to form a close, dynamic
and co-operative partnership. Piia-Noora Kauppi MEP, Vice-
President of the SME UNION emphasized that in Finland fran-
chising was mainly characteristic to the service sector. Carol
Chopra, Secretary General of European Franchise Federation
presented the situation of franchise system in Europe.
2007-10-09, Brussels, SME UNION Working
Breakfast with Commissioner Kuneva on
Consumer Protection Acquis
postulated that EU consumer policy and the Internal Market
should stick together, during the political process. Consumer
protection is clearly not only a social policy but especially an
economic policy. Her desire is a harmonization process of the
internal market to benefit the European society.
Xavier R. Durieu, Secretary
General of EuroCommerce
pointed out that commerce
is a driving force of the
European market, particu-
larly the SMEs that repre-
sent 95% of the retailers.
Bob Schmitz, Union
Luxembourgeoise des
Consommateurs, underlined that the EU institutions should
still consider valid the existence of a consumer law sui
generis. Apart from that he stated that consumer law still
concerns primarily domestic relations and that it shouldn't
be sacrificed as "hampering the Single Market". Alexander
Stubb MEP and member of the SME Circle emphasized that
the EU consumer policies have to become more economic
policies and highlighted that national consumer protections
have to change in order to establish one European safety
market to the detriment of national safety markets.
2007-10-17 Brussels, Working Breakfast
on Plant Protection and SMEs
R ichard Seeber MEP and
member of the SME

O thmar Karas MEP, Vice-

President of the EPP-
ED, opened the Working
Breakfast and welcomed
Meglena Kuneva, European
Commissioner for Consumer
Protection. SME Intergroup
President Othmar Karas
emphasized that her initia-
tive is only a beginning of a
dialogue between the public and the parliament, as well as
between the Parliament and the Commission. Meglena Kuneva
Circle opened the Working
Breakfast and welcomed
Egbert Panman, Belchim Crop
Protection, Roxane Feller,
COPA-COGECA, Günther
Grassl, Austrian Federal
Economic Chamber and
Friedhelm Schmider, ECPA, as
well as numerous MEPs in the audience. Egbert Panman, Belchim
Crop Protection, emphasized that there must be figured out a
balance in order to appraise-and not only to minimize-the risks
that are caused by pesticides. Roxane Feller pointed out that

30
 EVENTS
COPA-COGECA share with the Parliament a profound concern for
the environment and the conviction that pesticides should be
used as little as possible. Günther Grassl, Austrian Federal
Economic Chamber, accentuated that his chamber members that
are most concerned by the review of the EU plant protection pol-
icy are producers of plant protection products and the agro-com-
merce sector. Nearly all of these businesses are SMEs. With
regard to the new plant protection legislation it is fundamental to
pay attention to the objectives of the EU Better Regulation Policy.
Friedhelm Schmider, Director General ECPA Ipointed out that the
European Parliament should be asked to support an approach
which looks at the individual circumstances on the national level.
2007-10-17, Brussels, SME UNION and
partners conference on EU business cultures
T he SME UNION in
cooperation with
EUROCHAMBRES, STRATEX,
European Enterprise Institute,
EUROPUBLIC and the
Committee of the Regions
organized a Conference on the topic: "Passport to Trade: Working
across Cultures in the EU". Gerhard STAHL, Secretary General of
the Committee of the Regions, stressed out the importance of
understanding diversity of Europe by coping with different lan-
guages and cultures. Ingo FRIEDRICH MEP, Honorary President
of the SME UNION of the EPP, emphasized the significance of the
"United in Diversity!" motto and pleaded for finding solutions in
order to learn from each other and to promote tolerance. Richard
Hill, EU consultant and book author moderated the discussions
and introduced the speakers. Arnaldo Abruzzini, Secretary
General of EUROCHAMBRES presented his personal experience
regarding the cultural barriers and regarded languages as main
obstacle in intercultural cooperation. Jerzy Samborski, Executive
Director of the European Enterprise Institute cited the results of
a recently published report on Polish SMEs which highlighted the
barriers the entrepreneurs face to enter other EU markets. Alex
Lazar, Managing Director, Pest control Europe concentrated the
discourse on the idea that business people have to adapt to the
clients and their working environment. Willem van Noort,
Managing Director, Unifine underlined that for business people
there are different rules
of which the most impor-
tant is respect for the
business partner. Jane
Silver, PhD, Professorial
Fellow, Enterprise Centre
School of Computing,
Science & Engineering
University of Salford and Julia Ridsdale-Saw, Stratex sprl, pre-
sented the website of EU Project Passport to Trade and the ben-
efits of this initiative for the business community. The Conference
ended very successfully and with lot of laughs and joy with busi-
ness cabaret on the topic of cultural differences performed by
Otmar Kastner from Business Comedy International.
2007-11-07 Brussels, SME Energy Working Breakfast
on Renewable Energy Sources & SMEs
T he SME UNION in
cooperation with
EUROCHAMBRES, UPEI
and SME Circle organ-
ized a conference on the
topic: Renewable Energy
Sources & SMEs; How
they are affected, what can they deliver?" The Working Breakfast
started with the welcome remarks of Peter-Michael Mombaur,
President of SME Energy, former MEP. After this, Alfonso
Gonzalez Finat, Director New and Renewable Sources of Energy,
Energy Efficiency & Innovation, DG Energy and Transport
stressed the aims of the Commission concerning the topic. Paul
RÜBIG MEP mentioned the WTO´s heavy role concerning renew-
able energy. Dieter Kreikenbaum, the Head of Division Energy &
Climate Protection of the German Chambers of Commerce and
Industry mentioned some supplies to SMEs should be lower, sup-
porting of systems regarding jobs. Secretary General Bernd
Schnittler from UPEI, the European umbrella organisation of
independent oil traders and importers, pointed out that the
"Independents" were the trailblazers and pioneers for Biodiesel,
E 85, Bioheatingoil and Biofuels in general. But now the European
market for Biofuels and renewables shows a shortcoming of polit-
ical will to harmonise certain standards.
31
 EVENTS
2007-11-8/10, Pristina, Kosovo, SME Workshop
with SME Union Kosovo and LDK
S ME UNION Secretary General
Patrick VOLLER has visited
Pristina for 3 days to participate
inter alia in a conference focusing
on Kosovo's European future from
an economic point of view. He was
joined in the capital by Wolfgang
Grossruck, member of the
Austrian Parliament and mayor of
Grieskirchen. The conference was
opened by Kosovo's President
Fatmir Sejdiu who held a keynote statement on the possible
Euroatlantic integration. Mr Grossruck in his speech fully sup-
ported an economic cooperation between Kosovo and Austria
based on a proper infrastructure. Isa Mustafa, the senior advi-
sor of President Sejdiu, talked about the significant economic
reforms in Kosovo. Mr Voller was also a guest of the LDK party's
(Democratic League of Kosovo) Youth Division event. He turned
up at the LDK's Women Division meeting where he held a
speech. The organization was assisted and coordinated by Teuta
Musa from the LDK party, as well as Gani Azemi, coordinator of
SME UNION-LDK and Mr. Vehbi Miftari, spokesperson of LDK.
2007-11-16/17, Bremen, SME Union Germany MIT
Annual Federal Congress
B y invitation of SME
Union Germany, the
Mittelstands- und Wirts-
chaftsvereinigung der CDU/
CSU a SME UNION delega-
tion was present to witness
the 8th federal congress
in the city of Bremen.
The President of the SME
Union Germany, Dr. Josef
Schlarmann was reaf-
firmed in his leading position for the upcoming period with
a majority of over 97% of the votes. SME UNION Co-
32
President Peter Jungen was reelected as MIT Treasurer. The
SME UNION family delegation was headed by Secretary
General Patrick Voller and included greeting speeches of
SME Union France Secretary General Patrick Moulin and SME
Union Serbia President Velimir Vukadin. European
Parliament President MEP Hans-Gert Pöttering, German
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Technology
Michael Glos and CDU Secretary General Ronald Pofalla were
the honorary guests addressing the MIT delegates coming
from all over Germany. Thanks to the grand organization of
SME Union Germany Secretary General Hans-Dieter Lehnen
and his team the congress and side events during these two
days in Bremen became an unforgettable perfectly organ-
ized SME event. The SME UNION of the EPP congratulates
the newly selected board headed by Josef Schlarmann and
looks forward to a continued fruitful cooperation on the
European level.
2007-11-20, Brussels, Annual SME UNION Topic of
the Year Conference with Verheugen
T he SME UNION of
the EPP in cooperation
with European Enterprise
Institute organized a
Conference on the topic:
Less & Better Regulation for
European SMEs. The confer-
ence started with the open-
ing and introductory
remarks of Christoph Leitl,
President of the SME UNION
of the EPP. Ingo Friedrich
MEP, Honorary President of
the SME UNION of the EPP,
was the keynote speaker.
He talked about the need to
reduce bureaucracy, which could be done by introducing a
Small Business Act for Europe. Peter Jungen, President of
the European Enterprise Institute, started the Panel on Less
& Better Regulation for European SMEs. He said that
bureaucracy is an attack on enterprises, especially on small
 EVENTS
ones. Alexander Radwan MEP, President of the SME Circle,
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, talked about
how important it is that the commission, the parliament and
the council work together on such a topic as less and better
regulation. Christian Weinberger, European Commission,
Head of Unit DG Enterprise, pointed out that young people
in the new member states are more entrepreneurial than in
the US. Othmar Karas MEP, Vice-President of the EPP-ED
Group, President of the SME Intergroup, said that Edmund
Stoiber is now in a central position to deal with all these
questions. He pointed out that the SME Intergroup brings
together MEPs from all political groups who are interested in
SME issues. In his opinion the SME UNION is the think tank
for the Circle and Intergroup. David Doyle, Head of EU
Parliamentary Affairs of ACCA said that it is important to
note that SMEs are no homogenous group and that there is
a great variety among them. Peter Jungen said that there
has been lots of discussion about the European Social
Model, but there has to be also a European Economic Model.
The entrepreneur in Europe is a dying species, which is
going to be a problem for politicians because they should
provide work places. In his opinion it is the birth of new
firms that make the economic dynamic. After that he start-
ed the SME UNION Political Entrepreneurship Award
Ceremony on "How to make Europe more Entrepreneurial".
The Award was given to
Günter Verheugen, European
Commission Vice-President,
EU Commissioner for Enter-
prise and Industry. Mr.
Jungen said that the award is
not only a sign to say thank
you for all of Verheugen`s
effort concerning SMEs but
also an attempt to encourage
him to work on, to support all
those who are fastening this
process. He pointed out that
in his opinion the Barroso-
Verheugen-Commission made
the turnaround in this issue as raising the de-minimis-limits
means less bureaucracy and less control. That's a reason
why the award has to be handed over to Günter Verheugen.
Commissioner Verheugen was very pleased to receive the
award. He said that it is a very special price for him. It is not
the first economic one, but the first price he got from anoth-
er political family. He pointed out that policy for SMEs is
extremely important for European freedom and develop-
ment as in his understanding not policy makers create jobs
but entrepreneurs do. The framework conditions for that
are very important and what is the most important value
for him is freedom to decide. SME policy is now moving
towards a major political initiative, a European Small
Business Act, which ranks very high on the European
Commission's agenda. What still is missing is that a lot of
member states do not realize the social importance of
entrepreneurship. So it is an aim of Verheugen and the
Commission to make society aware that entrepreneurship
is essential for the wellbeing of the society. He lastly point-
ed out that he has an emotional relationship with all topics
concerning SMEs.
2007-11-21, Brussels, SME UNION, CompTIA
Working Lunch on E-Skills
T he SME UNION
in cooperation
with CompTIA organ-
ized a Working Lunch
on the topic "E-Skills:
Investing into the
future". The confer-
ence started with the
opening and intro-
ductory remarks of
Hugo Lueders, Group
Director Public Policy of CompTIA. He presented CompTIA
and pointed out that it is the next biggest world wide e-
skills certification provider after Microsoft. André Richier,
Principal Administrator at the European Commission - DG
Enterprise and Industry, Responsible for policy aspects
related to the competitiveness of the ICT industry and
human capital, was the first speaker. He worked for IBM
before and after the dot.com bubble exploited there were
33
 EVENTS

many surveys and studies about how e-skills could be Secretary General of the Vas County Chamber of Commerce
developed. Patrick Voller, Secretary General of the SME and Industry in Hungary; Paul Rübig, Austrian member of
UNION of the EPP pointed out that the Commission already the European Parliament and President of SME GLOBAL;
realized the problems in the ICT sector and that it gets sup- Alojz Peterle MEP, Slovenian member of the European
port from the European Parliament as well. Pilar del Castillo Parliament and former Prime Minister of Slovenia. The first
Vera, Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, point- day ended in the castle of Hartberg where the Director of
ed out that e-skills is connected to lifelong learning and the Economic Chamber of Styria, Thomas Spann's cocktail
that too many players try to engage too many activities. reception was followed by a dinner given by Martin
Jan-Willem Scheijgrond, Governmental Affairs Director of Bartenstein, Federal Minister of Economy and Labour in
Hewlett Packard pointed out that HP is also active in devel- Austria.
oping countries, but that the mass majority there wants to On the second day,
come to Europe later because people should be kept there the handcrafts work-
to do business. shop was moderated
by Gyula Karolyi,
2007-11-23/24, Styria, Austria, Austrian, Hungarian Vice-President of the
and Slovenian SME Union Crossboarder EU Hungarian Association
Conference "Growing together - EU enlargement as of Craftmen's Corp-
success story for regional SMEs" orations and Austria
by Josef Herk. The

T he SME
Wirtschaftsbund
UNION,
Steiermark, SME Union
Slovenia and the Hungarian
SME Union organized a two
days regional SME confer-
ence in Bad Waltersdorf,
Styria, Austria. The main
aim of the conference was
to foster a more effective
cooperation between entre-
preneurs doing business in the neighboring regions of
Austria (Southern Styria), Western Hungary and Northern
Slovenia. The main activities of the participants consisted of
trade, handcrafts and tourism. The speakers attending the
conference included the Mayor of Bad Waltersdorf, Josef
Hauptmann; SME UNION President, Christoph Leitl;
Christian Buchmann, Minister for Economy, Innovation and
Finance of the Federal State of Styria; Karlheinz Kopf MP,
member of the Austrian Parliament and Secretary General of
the Austrian SME Union; Tomaz Toplak, President of the
Slovenian SME Union; Antonio De Blasio MEP, Hungarian
member of the European Parliament; Sandor KISS,
trade workshop was
moderated by Tomaz
Toplak. The workshop
on tourism was mod-
erated by Franz Perner, economic chamber of Burgenland,
division for Tourism and Leisure. Reinhold Lopatka, Federal
Secretary of State for Sport in Austria highlighted the posi-
tive economic impact of Soccer EURO 2008 on Austria and
the whole region.
2007-11-29, SME UNION and KfW Working Breakfast
on EU Emission Trading
T he SME UNION organ-
ized a Working Break-
fast on EU Emission Trading:
Chances & Chal-lenges for
SMEs in cooperation with
Kreditanstalt fur Wiederauf-
bau (KfW) Bankengruppe
which took place in the
European Parliament. The
Working Breakfast was mod-

34
 EVENTS
erated by Karl-Heinz Florenz MEP, Rapporteur of the EP
Committee on Climate Change. The German MEP lately visited
China and the USA and he shared his experience on how emis-
sion trading and environmental policy are treated in these two
countries. Artur Runge-Metzger, Head of Unit for climate change
strategy in European Commission, DG Environment said the
whole Emission Trading Scheme was rocked in 2006 by a price
crash on the carbon market. Berhard Zander, First Vice-
President on carbon funds at the KfW Bankengruppe reported
there were currently 100 million carbon credits together with 3
billions of euros available to apply for the enterprises. Guy
Wollwert, the representative of the Societe Nationale de Credit
et d'Invertissement (SNCI), a development bank from
Luxembourg, talked about a fruitful partnership of SNCI as a
monetary institution with the KfW.
2007-12-14, Belgrade Serbian SME Congress
T he SME UNION, Youth of the EPP (YEPP), SA SMP in
cooperation with, Belgrade Chamber of Commerce,
SME-Starts-up, SME Central, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung
organized an SMEs Congress in Belgrade. The first part of
the Congress took place in the Sava-Center, and topic of the
day "Young Entrepreneurs in South-East Europe: Changes &
Challenges for the New Generation" started with the open-
ing and introductory remarks of Milan Jankovic, President of
Belgrade Chamber of Commerce. His fundamental message
to the over 100 guests was that Serbian wanted to be a part
of Europe. Kovacevic, Deputy Minister of Serbian, believes
that the young generation is the key for reaching this goal.
Jean-Paul Gauzes MEP, SME Start-up President thinks that
Serbian will become a Member of the European Union and
the SMEs will play an important part on this game. Thomas
Schneider, First Vice-President of YEPP remarked that Serbia
is already a part of Europe. György Bisztray, SME Central
President pointed out the importance of young entrepre-
neurs to find solutions to handle the Challenges on the Road
of Serbia to the EU. In the first workshop "Concept of Social
Market Economy in Time of Globalisation" moderator
Claudia Nolte, former federal Minister of Germany, Resident
Representative of Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Belgrade
emphasized that democracy is the fundament for every
economy and the social market has an important function
for the chances and challenges of globalization. Peter
Jungen, Co-President of the SME UNION, introduced and
moderated the second workshop "Chances and challenges
for Young Entrepreneurs in South East Europe".
The last workshop was intro-
duced by Herbert Preclik,
Trade Commissioner of
Austria in Serbia. Karlheinz
Kopf MP, Secretary General
Austrian SME Union Österre-
ichischer Wirtschaftsbund
and SME UNION Treasurer
noted that SMEs are
the backbone of economy,
adding that their development calls for political stability and
incentives for young people to start up their own business.
The second day of the Conference tackled the topic of
"Serbian SMEs on the Road to EU" and started with the
opening and welcome remarks of Milan Jankovic. Karl von
Klitzing, Representative of EBRD described the programs
of the EBRD to support SMEs in Serbia. Patrick Voller,
Secretary General of the SME UNION of the EPP concluded
that the SMEs in Serbia are dynamic, but now the govern-
ment must accelerate the reforms. The event in Serbia
concluded successfully the SME UNION working year of
2007.
35
 FROM THE
OFFICE
Change of guards at the SME UNION’s head of Office
A year in review – first impressions and activities
007 was a year of further
2 changes and developments with-
in the SME UNION. Mid of the year
Barbara Schweighofer returned to
Vienna after various years as head of
Office and I was happy to take over
this challenging task as new head of
Office for the SME UNION. Thanks to
Barbara Frontini Bizjak the strong support of the whole team
Head of Office and especially of Patrick Voller I
was able to integrate fast and suc-
cessfully.
SME UNION’s work is based on communication and net-
working with all interested parties. We push our target
into the daily work of all member states’ representatives,
organizing for example working breakfasts, when special
speakers elaborate on specific fields important to our
SMEs. This way we address deputies, interested represen-
tatives as well as opinion makers when starting their
working day with important issues presently discussed
within EU bodies and related to SME interests. Vivid dis-
cussions during these events proof the importance and
the interests of our target group.
The same level of intensive communication and network-
ing is preformed throughout the day on various fields – by
personal contacts, meetings, seminars and conferences
and other events organized by the SME UNION office in
Brussels and elsewhere.
Successfully we enlarged the member base throughout
the member countries convincing individual companies
about the benefits of membership, by proofing them that
SME UNION represents their interests in Brussels best!
Doing so, we also secure the financial as well as the polit-
ical strength of our Europe wide organization.
Various conferences in Central and Eastern European
member states – like in Ljubljana, Bucharest or Belgrade
as well as on Malta – brought our messages and tasks
36
directly our new EU member states and engaged SME
member organizations. These conferences in addition to
further regular SME UNION Presidency meetings support
our goal – communication through diversification – mean-
ing we are present for our members here in Brussels, in
their home countries, we are present with policy makers
and opinion leaders, we are present wherever we can sup-
port our members, wherever we can raise our voice and
make the interests and needs of our individual members
heard. By communication on various levels SME UNION
achieves and secures that our goals and interests are
present in time on all political levels.
Our qualified multi-lingual office team – many of them
with us for internship - guarantee the best possible organ-
ization, preparation and coordination in order to smooth
the way for our organization, our policy makers, our
deputies from the SME Circle, our supporters and fore-
most our members – for our communication!
We are very proud having successfully integrated during
the year 2007 more than 27 internships from various
countries like Hungary, Germany, Austria, Turkey,
Slovenia, Belgium and Romania etc. proofing SME
UNION’s true European character.
I am looking forward to a very successful 2008 which will
bring us new challenges and new achievements for all
present and new members. SME UNION is and will contin-
ue as the success story within political and economical
interest representations - we are your voice, we represent
your interests, we make your engagement successful!
Barbara Frontini Bizjak
Head of Office
 FROM THE
OFFICE

SME UNION supporting sustainable jobs, growth and prosperity

I n our work to shape the EU legislation in favor of SMEs we ensure that the interest of small
and medium-sized enterprises is observed. In this perspective our Brussels office is con-
stantly monitoring the work of the EU institutions, building contacts with the relevant EU bod-
ies, trying to influence legislation and regulations to reflect SME concerns.

As an EPP associated member we are actively participating in the technical work of EPP groups
seeking to ensure that the SMEs interests are reflected in the EPP policy guidelines. Political and
regulatory initiatives create and limit company and market opportunities but the SME UNION is
Cleopatra Rusu Deaconu providing his members with high quality results on relevant issues as: energy policy, reduction
Policy Adviser of administrative burdens, capital markets and other areas were SMEs interests are at stake.

Information flow is of paramount importance for our European economies therefore, through-
out our monthly newsletter and homepage we constantly keep all the members and friends
updated with the latest SME related news, legislative proposals and events.

The SME UNION year 2007 was marked by numerous events, working breakfasts and confer-
ences, framework for discussions, debates and dialogue between high level EU representatives,
associations, and SMEs representatives.

SME Marketplace

The SME Marketplace is a tool we integrated on our SME UNION website in order to provide the
members and patrons with the possibility of trading goods. It is a platform that allows advertis-
ing offers or demands of goods and services among our members. The main advantages are:
• Access to a wide range of offers

• User friendly interface

• Easy add posting

Implementing this electronic tool, guided by our member’s suggestion, we tried to bring all the
SME UNION partners closer to each others needs, to increase the interaction between them and
to provide them with faster communication and direct contact. If you are part of the SME UNION
family and if you are interested to join our business platform please visit: http://www.sme-
union.org/marketplace.
Cleopatra Rusu Deaconu

Policy Adviser

37
 SME
UNION
MAP

38
 SME UNION
MEMBERS

EU Member States: Members & Networkpartners

Country Member President/Spokesperson Secretary General/Contact Person
Austria Wirtschaftsbund C. Leitl K. Kopf, A. Bäck
Belgium CD&V M. Thyssen P. Gijsels, T. Pieters
Bulgaria Democratic Alternative N. Mihaylova M. Ivanova
Bulgaria Democratic Path M. Cappone
Cyprus Democratic Rally A. Sinka P. Michaelides
Czech Republic EAD of Christian Democrats J. Kasal F. Bures
Czech Republic SME Union of Czech Republic M. Topolanek, D. Seich J. Prusa
Denmark DKF P.O. Jørgensen C. Rovsing
Estonia Res Publica and Pro Patria Union T. Jürgenson, O. Lumi
Finland Kokoomus P-N. Kauppi T. Tujunen
France SME Union France UMP J-M. Virepinte P. Moulin
Germany MIT der CDU/CSU J. Schlarmann H-D. Lehnen
Germany Mittelstandsunion der CSU H. Michelbach St. Bürzle
Greece DAKMME C. Folias D. Maos, A. Tzivas
Hungary KKVE G. Bisztray L. Madi
Ireland Fine Gael Party A. Doyle
Italy SME Union Italy C. Cocchi A. Bianchi
Latvia New Era V. Dombrovskis D. Smits
Lithuania Homeland Union A. Keserauskas R. Garbaravicius
Luxembourg CSV M. Sauber M. Rauchs
Malta Partit Nazzjonalista A. Vassallo D. Mielak
Netherlands CDA C. Wortmann-Kool J. Ten Hoopen
Poland Unicorn J. Samborski M. Florczak
Portugal SME Union of PSD J. Kramer
Romania OACD SME Union of PNTCD M. P. Milut N. Neacsu
Romania PD Partidul Democrat G. Dramba
Romania PPA SME Union of Romania St. Rosu
Slovakia ZPP SME Union Slovakia I. Stefanec ˘
K. Simková
Slovakia ZKPMSR SME Union of KDH P. Faktor T. Taraba
Slovenia SME Union Slovenia T. Toplak St. Zorko, B. Bruderman
Spain Partido Popular C. Montoro, M. Canete A. Nadal, G. Arroyo
Sweden Kristdemokraterna E. Lindsö L. Hallberg
Sweden Moderata G. Hökmark
United Kingdom Conservative Party M. Harbour, P. Bushill-Matthews, J. Purvis

Europe: Members
Country Member President/Spokesperson Secretary General/Contact Person
Albania SME Union of Albania A. Hani G. Pollo, G. Gjinko
Croatia SME Union of HDZ I. Sanader, G. Jandrokovic D. Benko
Norway SME Union of Hoyre P. Lovik Ch. Angell
Serbia SME Union Serbia V. Vukadin J. Boberic, Z. Stojiljkovic

Europe: Observers

Country Member President/Spokesperson Secretary General/Contact Person

Kosovo LDK G. Azemi V. Miftari
Macedonia VMRO-DPMNE M. Krzovski, V. Gjorcev
Moldova Association of Christian Democratic I. Rosca V. Plamadeala
Businessmen
39
 ORGANIZATIONAL
&
CHART
STATUTES
SME UNION - Principles, objectives and purpose
Article 3: The Association stands for the democratic state
based on the rule of law and a free economic and social order.
It shall promote federal integration in Europe thereby safe-
guarding peace and strengthening democracy. It stands for
the principles and promotion of the Free Market Economy. It
considers the following principles to be essential preconditions
for a free economic and social order:
• Promotion of free enterprise with a particular
emphasis on family based entrepreneurship;
• Limiting bureaucratic obstacles to economic development;
• Implementation of the principle of subsidiarity;
• Limiting the role of government;
40
• Safeguarding competition based on efficiency;
• Promoting employment;
• Promoting sustainability in environmental, social,
economical and fiscal matters;
• Improving the level of education;
• Limiting the tax burden for SMEs and for the citizens.
The Association shall support and promote the interests of
small and medium-sized business, craft trades and the liberal
professions in their dealings with the policy institutions of the
European Union. For the purpose of implementing its princi-
ples and objectives outlined above, the Association shall
advise and support the EPP as a recognised association of the
party.
Vienna, 22 November, 2006
 FINANCES
&
GRATITUTES

We would like to express our gratitude to:

I. Our special supporting members and the

TOTAL INCOME EPP:
• Österreichischer Wirtschaftsbund (ÖWB) in
particular Karlheinz Kopf and Alexander Bäck
• Mittelstands - und Wirtschaftsvereinigung
(MIT) in particular Josef Schlarmann, Peter
Jungen and Hans-Dieter Lehnen
• European Peoples Party (EPP) in particular
Wilfried Martens, Antonio Lopez Isturiz and
Luc Vandeputte

II. Our cooperation partners:

• National Union of Romanian Employers
(UNPR) in particular Marian Petre Milut and
TOTAL INCOME Nelu Neacsu
• Novartis and Sandoz in particular Sandra
Gaisch and Lotte Huinink
• EFF (European Franchise Federation) in partic-
ular Carol Chopra
TOTAL EXPENSES • Belgrade Chamber of Commerce in particular
Milan Jankovic and Jovana Ninkovic

III. Our fraternal organisations:

• Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Brussels (KAS) in
particular Peter R. Weilemann
• Hanns Seidel Stiftung Brussels (HSS) in parti-
cular Markus Russ
• UEAPME (European Association of Craft, Small
and Medium-sized Enterprises) in particular
Hans-Werner Müller and Gerhard Huemer
• EUROCHAMBRES in particular Arnaldo
Abruzzini and Sonja Starnberger
TOTAL EXPENSES • EuroCommerce in particular, Xavier R. Durieu,
Mario Müller, Patrice Pellegrino and Ralph
Kamphöner
• European Enterprise Institute (EEI) in particu-
lar Peter Jungen, Jerzy Samborski and Gunnar
Hökmark
• BUSINESSEUROPE in particular Natascha
Waltke and Christian Feustel

41
 STAGIAIRES
TEAM &

Winter 2006/2007 Spring 2007 Summer 2007

Autumn 2007 with President Leitl and Treasurer Kopf Winter 2007/2008

42
 Editor: SME UNION of the EPP
Responsible for the content: Patrick Voller
Chief Editor: Barbara Frontini Bizjak
Deputy Editor: Özge Uyanik
Photos: SME UNION Team
Address: SME UNION of the EPP, 22, Rue de Pascale, 1040 Brussels
Tel: +32 2 233 38 38, Fax: +32 2 230 92 18
E-mail: sme@sme-union.org
www.sme-union.org

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OF THE EPP