CERT was initiated in 1999 in response to the need for an effective Canada-Europe business dialogueand to advocate for comprehensive bilateral free trade and investment liberalization.

CERT is Co-Chaired by Roy MacLaren, former Canadian Minister of International Trade, and William Emmott, former Editor of The Economist.

Leadership

CERT is composed of company and trade association members that jointly formulate policy recommendations and participate in executive roundtables with government representatives.

Australian Business UK is the only organisation in the United Kingdom that brings together professionals and companies who have Australian interests and connections through business networking opportunities and events. With over 300 corporate and individual members, Australian Business helps strengthen business links between Australia and the UK, and further members’ interests, in the UK and beyond.

1. Austria - Johannes Hahn, Regional policy commissioner, 56, EPP
2. Belgium - Marianne Thyssen, MEP, 58, EPP
3. Bulgaria - Kristalina Georgieva, Humanitarian Aid Commissioner, 61, EPP
4. Croatia - Neven Mimica, Consumer Affairs Commissioner, 60, S&D
5. Cyprus - Christos Stylianides, MEP, 56, EPP
6. Czech Republic - Vera Jourova, Regional Development Minister, 49, ALDE
7. Denmark - Margrethe Vestager, Economy Minister, 46, ALDE
8. Estonia - Andrus Ansip, Former Prime Minister, 57, ALDE

The purpose of MEP-Industry Forums is to facilitate and strengthen the exchange of information between the European Parliament and a given industry sector. Industry Forums are non-profit making organizations, which are supported by a wide range of MEPs from most political groups through a Steering Committee. They are independent and non-partisan platforms which contribute to enhance MEPs’ understanding of a given industrial sector.

Main Objectives of the Industry Forums

The Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs oversees the Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs whose mission is to contribute to raising the economic welfare of the citizens in the European Union and beyond, notably by developing and promoting policies that ensure sustainable economic growth, a high level of employment, stable public finances and financial stability. At the present juncture, this means working to ensure that the recovery of the European economy gains strength.

Les actes législatifs qui s’imposent à tous les États membres de l’Union européenne ne le sont que sur proposition de la Commission, seule à en avoir l’initiative (hors rares exceptions précisées dans les traités), et après une adoption conjointe du Parlement européen et du Conseil (de l’Union européenne), y compris les amendements de groupes parlementaires.

Les élus français au Parlement européen entament la nouvelle mandature profondément affaiblis. La présence française aux postes clés est en recul. Entre cette législature et la précédente, les élus hexagonaux réduisent leur présence aux postes qui comptent.

The EU –Japan negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement were officially launched on 25 March 2013. The negotiations aim at addressing, among others, a number of EU concerns, including non-tariff barriers which European companies encounter in Japan, as well as the further opening of the Japanese public procurement market.

Strong Proponents

One of the responsibilities of the President of the European Council is to represent the EU externally at international summits, usually alongside the President of the European Commission. Bilateral summits are organised between the EU and its strategic partners. Such summits are held on a regular basis, usually once a year, with countries such as Japan, the US, Russia, South Africa, Brazil and China. The location for the summits alternates between Brussels and the country concerned.

1. Canada-Europe Round Table for Business (CERT): Dedicated to creating business opportunities between Canada and the European Union. CERT actively develops company-member interests by: Contributing recommendations to government to shape public policy and increase bilateral trade and investment, hosting thematic, high-level meetings focused on developing strategic relationships between company executives and with government officials. The CERT meets on the margins of the EU-Canada Summit.