UEAPME

UEAPME ( Union Européenne de l' Artisanat et des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises ) is an umbrella organization representing at European level the interests of craft, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs ) in the European Union.

Members Association

The association founded in 1979, has its headquarters in Brussels and represents the employers' association at European level 81 member organizations. These are national cross-industry federations, European branch federations and other associate members who support the SMEs. Within the EU, UEAPME represents the interests of 8 million companies true with about 30 million employees across Europe, it represents 11 million enterprises with 50 million employees.

UEAPME is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization. The merger with EUROPMI in July 1999, she became the only pan-European corporate representation for crafts and SMEs. As a result of a cooperation agreement with the European industrial and employers 'association UNICE ( Union of Industrial and Employers' Confederations of Europe) is a European social partner be negotiated.

Tasks

The association sees itself as a "mouthpiece" of craft enterprises and SMEs in Europe. Among her main tasks and objectives:

  • Perception and representation of the common interests of its members vis-à -vis the institutions of the EU and other international institutions
  • Information of the members on all issues relevant to the European Union's policy
  • Academic, technical and legal support to its members in all aspects of EU policy.
  • Support for European integration and promotion of European cooperation.
  • Realization of common tasks on behalf of its members and search for solutions to all the problems associated with the above objectives.

Organs

  • Plenary session
  • Board of Directors
  • Secretariat
  • Committees

President is since 1 January 2011 Loek Hermans, Secretary General until 2007 was the former German Bundestag member Hans -Werner Müller. His successor Italian Andrea Benassi was elected in November 2007.

Memberships

The association is a member of the European Movement International.

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