Memorandum for the European Elections

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Memorandum for the European Elections
Christina Linderholm
3rd SME Summit Luxemburg, April 24, 2004
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25 countries elect 727 members of the European
Parliament
EP E L E C T I O N S

• From the new Parliament SMEs wants
• SME friendly solutions
• Coherent policies
• Less regulatory burden
• Support for the best possible business
  environment

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The Internal Market must become a reality
EP E L E C T I O N S

• SMEs want Parliament to
• open the single market for services
• remove tax barriers
• facilitate cross border activities

4
Improve EuropeanEconomic Governance
EP E L E C T I O N S

• SMEs want Parliament to
• support reinterpretation of the Stabilty and
  Growth Pact
• advocate an obligatory and independent small
  business assessment
• allow realistic timeframes for implementation of
  legislation

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The best possible environment for SMEs
EP E L E C T I O N S

• SMEs want Parliament to
• assist in improving access to finance
• support specific measures to improve
  participation in RTD
• actively contribute to implementation of the
  Small Business Charter
• push for improved mobility of trainees and
  apprentices

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Flexibility and simplification
EP E L E C T I O N S E

• SMEs want Parliament to
• facilitate flexible solutions in the labour
  market
• simplify environmental legislation
• provide SMEs with financial and technical support
  to adapt to change