http://3859301.test.prositehosting.co.uk/ A RSS Summary of Business for New Europe en info@bnegroup.org Copyright 2012 2012-05-15T14:30:10+00:00 http://www.bnegroup.org/events/view/an-alliance-for-growth-anglo-dutch-cooperation-in-a-changing-europe/ Despite the recent respite in the euro crisis, the economic situation in the European Union is still far from certain. All European countries, including the UK and the Netherlands, are faced with strong economic headwinds. This has led to a resurgence of the debate between austerity measures and the need to promote growth and jobs. The question of how quickly to tackle the deficit tops the agenda in Westminster and may very well be central to the upcoming Dutch elections, now set for September. Meanwhile, political developments in other Eurozone countries feed into discussions on the recently signed “fiscal compact”,… 2012-05-15T14:30:10+00:00 http://www.bnegroup.org/events/view/an-alliance-for-growth-anglo-dutch-cooperation-in-a-changing-europe/ http://www.bnegroup.org/events/view/british-representation-in-the-eu-institutions-rebuilding-our-presence-in-br/ A high-level policy discussion with networking and drinks The UK makes up 12% of the population of the European Union but only holds 5% of posts within its institutions.  In 2011, for example, less than 2% of the applicants to the European Commission Concours were British and in 2012 we will see the 1972 intake of British citizens start to retire. What does this mean for EU policymaking and what does it mean for British business? The British Brussels Network (BBN) is happy to welcome you to attend a high-level discussion with top British officials, policymakers and business representatives. This… 2012-03-01T18:30:10+00:00 http://www.bnegroup.org/events/view/british-representation-in-the-eu-institutions-rebuilding-our-presence-in-br/ http://www.bnegroup.org/events/view/a-discussion-on-esma-and-the-financial-markets-in-europe-and-the-uk1/ Date| 23 January 2012 Time| 5.45pm Venue| Goldman Sachs International, River Court, 133 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2BE ESMA, the European Securities and Markets Authority, came into being on 1 January, replacing the Committee of European Securities Regulators.  It is one of the new three new European Securities Authorities (ESAs) alongside the European Banking Authority (EBA) and EIOPA (European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority). The aim of this discussion is to examine the technical aspects of ESMA’s work around OTC derivatives and clearing, in the context of the forthcoming European Markets Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR) and in light… 2012-01-23T17:45:18+00:00 http://www.bnegroup.org/events/view/a-discussion-on-esma-and-the-financial-markets-in-europe-and-the-uk1/ http://www.bnegroup.org/events/view/european-growth-and-competitiveness-getting-it-keeping-it/ As part of the programme of the Polish Presidency of the European Council, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London, in partnership with Business for New Europe and the Representation of the European Commission in London, is planning a day-long conference to explore issues of growth and competitiveness in the European Union. As Europe battles with the euro crisis and faces another global economic slowdown, the conference will provide a forum for debate on how to return Europe to economic growth and competitiveness through the following panel discussion topics throughout the day:   - What is the secret of… 2011-10-26T09:00:04+00:00 http://www.bnegroup.org/events/view/european-growth-and-competitiveness-getting-it-keeping-it/ http://www.bnegroup.org/events/view/conservative-party-conference-fringe-debate-will-brussels-run-british-forei/ This debate will examine the future of foreign policy in Europe.  Uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East and military action in Libya saw a NATO led, multilateral campaign from which the EU was largely absent.  As the European Diplomatic Corps under Baroness Cathy Ashton finds its feet, the speakers will debate the extent to which it is necessary for European states to coordinate their foreign policies, and what role the EU should play in that process. The panellists will ask whether there is a future for European states to have fully independent foreign policies, and whether the prospect… 2011-10-04T17:30:36+00:00 http://www.bnegroup.org/events/view/conservative-party-conference-fringe-debate-will-brussels-run-british-forei/ http://www.bnegroup.org/publications/ This issue includes details of our upcoming events in London and Brussels, comment  pieces on Scottish independence and how UKIP's view on the impact of the EU in UK employment does not hold up under scrutiny, as well as our regular monthly features 'News in Brief' and 'The Month Ahead in EU Affairs'. ‘ 2012-04-13T14:39:01+00:00 http://www.bnegroup.org/publications/ http://www.bnegroup.org/publications/ This month's issue includes insightful contributions on the fiscal compact, the consequences of Britain's lack of foreign language speakers, and the case for UK membership of the EU.‘ 2012-02-08T14:29:47+00:00 http://www.bnegroup.org/publications/ http://www.bnegroup.org/publications/ This month's issue predominantly looks at the UK/EU relationship following Cameron's EU treaty decision, from media to blogs, and is packed with the regular pieces 'News in Brief' and 'The Month Ahead in EU Affairs'.‘ 2012-01-10T16:26:12+00:00 http://www.bnegroup.org/publications/ http://www.bnegroup.org/publications/ This month's issue is is packed full with blogs on the eurozone crisis and the single market, BNE event information and much more. ‘ 2011-12-08T12:14:52+00:00 http://www.bnegroup.org/publications/ http://www.bnegroup.org/publications/ At the political party conferences this autumn, we ran a series of panel discussions on the eurocrisis in partnership with the Centre for European Reform. The discussions brought together commentators and politicians to discuss the euro crisis. This electronic publication is a collection of abstractsfrom these discussions. We held these debates before the agreement reached at the European Council of 23 and 24 October, where heads of government agreed a three pronged plan to stabilise the euro area. The package has been well received by the markets, but as our speakers pointed out, the most important reforms are perhaps… 2011-12-05T10:57:09+00:00 http://www.bnegroup.org/publications/ http://www.bnegroup.org/media/press-release-merkel-and-hollande-need-to-form-left-right-grand-coalition-t/ With the prospect of a Greek exit from the euro being openly discussed, Europe needs Chancellor Merkel and President Hollande to show political leadership, by agreeing a left-right settlement on austerity and growth. Phillip Souta, Director of BNE said, “Europe is approaching a crucial phase of the eurozone crisis.  Politicians are openly discussing a Greek exit from the euro, which has pushed Spanish bonds yields up and markets down.  After the pre-negotiation posturing, Chancellor Merkel and President Hollande need to negotiate a deal, on behalf of both the left and right of Europe, to ensure that this crisis does… 2012-05-15T10:16:13+00:00 http://www.bnegroup.org/media/press-release-merkel-and-hollande-need-to-form-left-right-grand-coalition-t/ http://www.bnegroup.org/media/press-release-austerity-without-reform-is-pushing-europe-to-the-limits/ The current focus on austerity is causing a severe political backlash across Europe.  Without structural reforms to the eurozone and plans to stimulate the private sector, Europe’s attempts to move beyond the crisis will come to nothing, says Business for New Europe, a coalition of UK business leaders. Phillip Souta, Director of BNE said, “Nobody is arguing that Europe should return to the debt fuelled excess of the last decade.  The speed and depth of the cuts that Germany is insisting upon, however, is causing a real social and political backlash from France to the Netherlands and across the Continent.” … 2012-05-02T08:28:34+00:00 http://www.bnegroup.org/media/press-release-austerity-without-reform-is-pushing-europe-to-the-limits/ http://www.bnegroup.org/media/scottish-membership-of-the-eu-would-not-be-automatic/ A newly independent Scotland would not be guaranteed automatic entry into the EU following a vote for independence according to a report released this morning by Business for New Europe, a UK coalition of pro-European business leaders. The report highlights the fact that accession to the European Union requires changes to its founding treaties and therefore the unanimous approval of member states.  It also shows that an independent Scotland would need to negotiate the terms of its membership. Phillip Souta, Director of BNE, said “Scotland would have to negotiate on various issues like the euro, Schengen, the EU budget… 2012-03-09T10:10:02+00:00 http://www.bnegroup.org/media/scottish-membership-of-the-eu-would-not-be-automatic/ http://www.bnegroup.org/media/press-release-eu-must-give-greece-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel/ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE This morning’s agreement was essential but more needs to be done. Phillip Souta, Director of BNE, states “This morning’s deal has eliminated the prospect of an immediate Greek default and the very dangerous and unpredictable consequences that would have followed.”  With estimates that Greece will not return to growth for a decade, Souta continues “The deal however involves an unprecedented level of intervention in the running of Greece’s economy.  It is impossible to know for certain if Greek society will be able to bear this.” Souta continues “The Greeks therefore need some light at the end of… 2012-02-21T13:20:31+00:00 http://www.bnegroup.org/media/press-release-eu-must-give-greece-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel/ http://www.bnegroup.org/media/press-release-captains-of-industry-say-leaving-the-eu-would-damage-british-/ A recent Business for New Europe poll by Ipsos MORI shows that there is widespread agreement that UK withdrawal from the EU would damage British business.  In the IPSOS Mori ‘Captains of Industry’ poll, 73% of board level directors from FTSE 350, top 500 industrials by turnover and top 100 financial companies by capital employed agreed that leaving the EU would damage British business.  Amongst FTSE 100 interviews, this number rose to 85%. Phillip Souta, Director of BNE, states “Again, there is no doubt that British business sees the many advantages of our EU membership.  Instead of withdrawing to the… 2012-02-09T11:57:26+00:00 http://www.bnegroup.org/media/press-release-captains-of-industry-say-leaving-the-eu-would-damage-british-/ http://www.bnegroup.org/media/in-the-media/the-herald-scotland-claims-snp-case-on-scots-eu-status-destroyed/ THE SNP Government's case that an independent Scotland would automatically accede to the European Union has been "destroyed" by a pro-Europe think-tank's in-depth report into the issue, it was claimed last night. Business for New Europe acknowledged the process of an independent Scotland joining the EU was "unclear" because none of the current treaties covered secession within an existing member state. Nonetheless, it pointed out that, under article 49 of the Treaty on European Union, admission of a new member required "unanimous approval" of all the heads of government and then ratification by… 2012-03-12T09:40:02+00:00 http://www.bnegroup.org/media/in-the-media/the-herald-scotland-claims-snp-case-on-scots-eu-status-destroyed/ http://www.bnegroup.org/media/in-the-media/the-scotsman-scottish-independence-snp-could-lose-in-referendum-vote-minist/ link to article covering BNE's report, In Depth: Scottish Independence and EU Accession. By EDDIE BARNES SCOTLAND faces years more constitutional navel-gazing even if it decides not to back independence, a senior SNP minister has warned, in a new attack on the uncertainty surrounding the pro-Union parties’ stance on devolution. Raising the scenario of defeat in the planned 2014 referendum for the first time, Bruce Crawford, the SNP’s cabinet secretary for government strategy, predicted the country could expect no let-up in the doubts over its future if it voted “no” to independence, given the lack of clarity from pro-Union… 2012-03-09T09:42:31+00:00 http://www.bnegroup.org/media/in-the-media/the-scotsman-scottish-independence-snp-could-lose-in-referendum-vote-minist/ http://www.bnegroup.org/media/in-the-media/the-times-doubts-over-scots-eu-accession-route/ link to article (£), covering BNE's report, In Depth: Scottish Independence and EU Accession. Angus Macleod, Scotland Correspondent Alex Salmond’s claim that an independent Scotland would automatically become a member of the EU is “premature and potentially misleading”, according to a high-powered group of pro-Europe business figures. The Business for New Europe group says that for an independent Scotland to join the EU, it would need to negotiate the terms of its membership, might not take advantage of the UK’s budget rebate and could be forced to join the single currency. Their conclusion directly challenges the First Minister’s repeated insistence that if… 2012-03-09T09:35:54+00:00 http://www.bnegroup.org/media/in-the-media/the-times-doubts-over-scots-eu-accession-route/ http://www.bnegroup.org/media/in-the-media/daily-express-eu-costs-will-soar-if-snp-wins-independence-campaign/ link to article covering BNE's report, In Depth: Scottish Independence and EU Accession. By Paul Gilbride SCOTS could have to pay five times more for EU membership if Alex Salmond wins his independence campaign, a think tank warned yesterday. Lobby group Business for New Europe claimed an independent Scotland would lose out on the UK’s rebate if it had to re-apply to join the international club. Alex Salmond insists Scotland would be a “successor state” in the same position as the remaining UK. But the pro-European body said there would be no guarantee that the country would automatically join the EU on its… 2012-03-09T09:17:39+00:00 http://www.bnegroup.org/media/in-the-media/daily-express-eu-costs-will-soar-if-snp-wins-independence-campaign/ http://www.bnegroup.org/media/in-the-media/bne-scotland-paper-in-the-perthshire-advertiser-kilmarnock-standard-and-sco/ Local coverage about BNE's report In Depth: Scottish Independence and EU Accession PERSHIRE ADVERTISER and the KILMARNOCK STANDARD March 8, 2012 A pro-Europe business group has raised its concern over the unanswered questions facing Scottish membership of the EU after independence. A briefing paper by the independent reform body Business for New Europe said it is unclear whether the country will have to take the longer route to membership status if Scots vote to leave the UK in 2014. The SNP insists Scotland would be a "successor state" in the same position as the remaining UK. However, it is… 2012-03-09T08:34:54+00:00 http://www.bnegroup.org/media/in-the-media/bne-scotland-paper-in-the-perthshire-advertiser-kilmarnock-standard-and-sco/