Ernest-Antoine Seillière re-elected BusinessEurope president

At its June Council of Presidents meeting in Berlin, BusinessEurope - the Confederation of European Business - re-elected Ernest-Antoine Seillière as its president for another two-year mandate, until June 30, 2009. Mr Seillière obtained the unanimous support of all presidents of Businesseurope's 39 member federations in 33 countries.

In his report, Mr Seillière stressed on the need to support and have an effective EU, to nurture closer relationships with all other business organisations, of holding meetings with emerging countries, and of improving the organisation's communications. The BusinessEurope president also highlighted the priorities, which the confederation believes are required to boost business activity in Europe:

• Implementation of reforms for growth and jobs;

• Integration of the European market;

• Governing the EU efficiently;

• Shaping globalisation and fighting all kinds of protectionism;

• Promoting a secure, competitive and climate-friendly energy system;

• Reforming European social systems to respond to global challenges.

As a member of BusinessEurope, the Malta Federation of Industry was represented at this meeting by FOI deputy president Helga Ellul, who was also invited to attend presentations on flexicurity, and energy and climate change, as well as a talk by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.