Iuliu Winkler

Three quarters of European SMEs have been affected last year by restrictions imposed to counter the coronavirus pandemic, according to a recent study by SME Europe, the economic organization of the European People’s Party (EPP). “Last year, the European SME sector has been hit hard. Despite aid programs in all Member States, 7.5% of SMEs …

Romanian SMEs are invited to answer questions on a survey launched by SME Europe, the European People’s Party’s (EPP) economic organization, at the level of all Member States, which will be the basis for recommendations to European institutions, announced on Monday MEP Iuliu Winkler (RMDSZ, EPP), First Vice-President of SME Europe. “Ten months have passed …

Currently we witness a deeply uneven trade and investment relationship between the EU and China. China is a strategic partner but increasingly also a strategic competitor of the EU. The CAI will contribute in rebalancing this relationship, benefiting European companies and investors. The CAI provisions do not stand alone, they will be complemented by the existing and upcoming EU autonomous trade measures in order to tackle imbalances …

Merry Christmas and a new year full of peace and joy!

We are currently in the middle of the EU Trade Policy Review. After the reshuffling of portfolios in the Commission, and the assumption of duties by Executive Vice President V. Dombrovskis, the public consultation linked to the TPR has been prolonged until 15 November. A new Trade Policy paper from DG Trade is expected to …

Iuliu Winkler, MEP (EPP/RMDSZ) salutes the launch of the Access2Markets online tool, which comes to the aid of European SMEs and businesses which want to engage in international trade. “SME Europe of the EPP, the EPP’s SME advocacy organisation, has long been asking for an instrument that streamlines complex regulatory frameworks for SMEs wanting to …

Diversity in the European Union is not only diversity between Member States, but also diversity within the Member States. The Ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union made this clear, so this is the way that we understand our EU motto “United in Diversity”. The distinct and unique cultures of the national …

Europe is in an important moment of introspection. The public health emergency did not necessarily bring new elements to the table; rather it has only accentuated changes that were already in motion, while concomitantly exposing important vulnerabilities of EU trade policy. The Trade Policy Review is a stocktaking exercise, based on lessons learned over the …

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we learn, work and spend our free time. Of all the changes that the pandemic brings to society, moving education to the virtual environment has the deepest implications. Children and youth are affected at a decisive age in their upbringing, and as such, the digital transformation of education …

“The EU cannot be a partner in a traditional sense with a country whose leaders disregard international obligations and exploit pandemics. Systemic rivalry has become the overriding paradigm in our relationship. We expect China to deliver on its own commitments. Selective application of the international rules-based order is unacceptable. We expect non-discrimination and openness from …