Member of European Parliament Iuliu Winkler (RMDSZ, EPP) received the Honorary Certificate of the Taxpayers Association of Europe (TAE) in Strasbourg for his parliamentary work in the service of European taxpayers.

“It is an honor to receive this award. International trade is very important for European SMEs, especially as regards their internationalization and access to foreign markets”, said Iuliu Winkler, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee, on receiving the TAE award. According to the RMDSZ MEP, international trade is generating well-paid jobs and technological advances, and SMEs have to make the most of these opportunities. “The EU must act consistently in improving its relations with the US and China, and these developments must benefit SMEs and our citizens.  SMEs in Central and Eastern European countries need support to gain competitiveness and increase performance, and this remains an important goal to work for in the next term” emphasized Winkler.

TAE, in collaboration with the European Economic Senate (EES) and SME Connect, have decided to reward the work of 19 MEPs who “have rendered outstanding services to the European taxpayer, and especially to SMEs, in the now-ending 2014-2019 legislative period” in the European Parliament.  The three European associations highlighted that four criteria were laid at the basis of the nomination of MEPs: political personality;  closeness to the citizen;  commitment to the taxpayer;  promoting SME-friendly policies.

TAE, established in 1969, wishes to stimulate efficiency and economy in the public sector, advocating for a society with lower taxes and more individual freedom. The Taxpayers Association of Europe is a federation of 29 national taxpayers associations throughout Europe.

The three organizations together have more than 2 million members in Europe.