At the beginning of 2005, five Central and Eastern European Industry and Employers Federations – SPCR (Czech Republic), RUZ (Slovakia), MGYOSZ (Hungary), ZDS (Slovenia), and IV (Austria) – launched an initiative aimed at intensified, long-term cooperation. In autumn 2006, the Croatian Federation HUP joined this group. The Bulgarian Industrial Association – BIA and the Alliance of Romanian Employers Confederations – ACPR joined in 2009.
The eight CEE initiative organisations share a lot of common values and convictions. Above all, they believe in Europe – as an economic and political project – and they are convinced that a strong and competitive Europe is the right answer to tackle the opportunities and challenges of globalisation.
The new Member States of 2004 and 2007, as well as future Member States, are a vital driving force for the European Union as a whole, contributing to the process of structural change and modernisation that is intended to make both the EU Member States and their companies more efficient, more flexible and more competitive. Based on the valuable experience and fresh dynamism of the CEE Federations, all of which have fostered important reforms in recent years and helped to initiate the necessary changes in the political, economic and social systems of their countries, this group is convinced that strong cooperation between equal partners in Central and Eastern Europe is of mutual benefit - for each of the countries concerned and for Europe as a whole.
A cooperative-network-between-countries goal is to have a significant impact on the region’s economic, social and political development by promoting growth, employment and prosperity. The group has been very active: several common initiatives and lobbying activities targeted at national governments and the EU institutions have been carried out. Together, the eight organisations have been able to realise synergies, promote common aims, and take a stronger position at both the national and the European level, thereby strengthening also the voice of the BUSINESSEUROPE, the Confederation of European Business.
