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AmCham EU in Strasbourg: building connections with MEPs

11 Jul 2022
All Committees

Last week, an AmCham EU delegation of 60 members travelled to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. On Monday, 4 July and Tuesday, 5 July, participants had the chance to meet with more than 100 MEPs from the largest political groups in the Parliament. An AmCham EU tradition of over twenty years, the Strasbourg delegation brings together the US business community and European policymakers to discuss how to build a stronger European Union and a more competitive single market.  

Recommendations to the Czech Presidency

30 Jun 2022
All Committees
Presidency

On 1 July 2022, the Czech Republic took over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Europe faces a wide range of challenges, starting with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The uncertainty is further amplified by the pandemic, rising inflation, congested supply chains and a lack of trust in institutions around the world. The Czech Presidency will also take on a critical task in overseeing Europe’s economic recovery around the twin transitions of environmental protection and digitalisation. Our recommendations to the Czech Presidency aim to ensure we reach our common goals of a more prosperous and more competitive EU.

AmCham EU hosts its 2022 Annual General Meeting

29 Jun 2022
All Committees
Plenary Meeting

On Tuesday, 28 June, AmCham EU held its Annual General Meeting (AGM), where we had the honour of welcoming Ilze Juhansone, Secretary-General, European Commission for a fireside chat and Q&A with members. In the internal session, members reviewed last year’s accomplishments and discussed future plans for the organisation in 2022 and beyond.

2022 Lizanne Scott Staff Excellence Award winner

28 Jun 2022
All Committees

On Tuesday, 28 June, during our Annual General Meeting, the 2022 Lizanne Scott Staff Excellence Award was presented to Lucia Vaculova, Associate Manager. The competition was tough, but the positive attitude, professionalism, and team spirit Lucia has displayed was worthy of recognition. For her hard work and dedication, Lucia will receive a certificate of excellence and a monetary prize. Congratulations Lucia!  

Annual Report 2021

27 Jun 2022
All Committees

History will surely look back upon 2021 as the year that humanity fought back against the novel COVID-19 coronavirus. From the outset of the year, AmCham EU identified contributing to Europe’s economic recovery as a top priority. We supported the EU’s goals of placing at its centre the twin transitions of building more digital and sustainable economic models all while advocating for international alignment. Throughout the year AmCham EU continued to advocate for a stronger, more competitive and united EU, while positioning US business as a centrepiece of the EU’s economic prosperity. Our 2021 annual report provides a snapshot of how AmCham EU continues to be the best representative for US business committed to and invested in Europe.

Discussing transatlantic trade and investment in Luxembourg

24 Jun 2022
All Committees

What is the future of the transatlantic economic relationship? That was the question Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU looked to address in her remarks during the event organised by AmCham Luxembourg, together with Deloitte and the Luxembourg American Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, 21 June. Cooperation and collaboration were key themes throughout her remarks, underscoring their importance in generating economic growth. 

EU-US cooperation on export controls: a joint approach

24 Jun 2022
Security, Defence & Space

On Thursday, 23 June, the AmCham EU Security, Defence and Space Committee and the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) at the US Department of Commerce co-hosted a webinar on US export controls. The discussion focussed on the role of the BIS in formulating US export controls policy, the US sanctions regime currently in place on Russia and Belarus as well as the cooperation that has taken place between the EU and US on export controls. 

Third-party Litigation Funding: industry calls for effective oversight

22 Jun 2022
Consumer affairs

AmCham EU joined twelve industry leaders in calling for fair and clear rules to mitigate the risks posed by third-party litigation funding (TPLF). The signatories agree that the EU should promote access to justice for all and protect all parties from opportunistic litigation.  

Gala 2022: a recap

20 Jun 2022
All Committees

After three years away, the Brussels community finally had the chance to reconnect in person, and in style, at AmCham EU’s Gala 2022. With a special focus on ‘Invested in youth’, the evening brought together more than 250 guests to celebrate the contributions of the young generation. It showcased an inspiring cello performance from the two Queen Elisabeth Competition finalists and was capped off with the presentation of the Youth Entrepreneurship Award to a female entrepreneur.  

 

24-hour Relay for Life

20 Jun 2022
All Committees

For 24 hours over Saturday, 18 June and Sunday, 19 June, the AmCham EU team campaigned and raised funds for the fight against cancer at the annual Relay for Life at the St Johns International School in Waterloo. Cancer is a disease that touches all of our lives, and staying on the track for a whole day represents a small tribute to the perseverance of cancer patients and their loved ones. AmCham EU also walked in memory of our dear former colleague Andreas Galanakis. We're still collecting donations here for those who wish to contribute.

WTO ministerial: multilateralism remains critical but needs to deliver further results

20 Jun 2022
All Committees
Trade & External Affairs

The Twelfth Ministerial Conference (MC12) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) concluded on Friday, 17 June 2022. The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) applauds the WTO and its Member States for reaching outcomes against a challenging geopolitical backdrop. Consensus was found on several issues, including food security, pandemic response, fishing subsidies, the moratorium on import duties for e-commerce and, most importantly, the reform of the WTO.

Swedish start-up Energy Effective Solutions wins AmCham EU Youth Entrepreneurship Award 2022

16 Jun 2022
All Committees
Executive Council

The American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) and Junior Achievement Europe (JA Europe) are delighted to announce that Energy Effective Solutions, a Swedish start-up, is the winner of the tenth AmCham EU Youth Entrepreneurship Award. This year’s edition was dedicated to women entrepreneurs, for the third time in a row. Ida Norström, Founder and CEO, won the hearts and minds of the jury with her ambition to grow her business into one of Europe’s largest electricity companies and lead the transition to a modernised electricity industry. An inspiring young business leader, Ida Norström started her career at fourteen years old only and had already completed an apprenticeship before finishing high school.

Key organisations express concerns over the Cybersecurity Certification Scheme for Cloud Services

14 Jun 2022
Digital Economy

AmCham EU issued a joint statement alongside key EU digital business organisations to express concerns over several procedural and substantial elements in the Cybersecurity Certification Scheme for Cloud Services (EUCS) currently undertaken within the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA). While the EU's ambition to tackle global cyber threats and protect citizens, institutions and businesses through cybersecurity certifications is appreciated, the inclusion of 'digital sovereignty' requirements risks negatively impacting international and European providers of cloud computing solutions as well as organisations that use cloud and require high levels of cybersecurity assurances.

2022 EU Job Fair: discussing careers in policy

14 Jun 2022
All Committees

On Monday, 13 June, Alex Buyruk, Policy Adviser, AmCham EU spoke on the ‘Careers in Policy’ panel at the 2022 EU Job Fair. The discussion focussed on the importance of variety in building a professional profile as well as the differences in working in the private and public sectors. The panel was joined by Dimitar Lilkov, Senior Research Officer, Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies; David Osimo, Director of Research, Lisbon Council; Ionela Maria Ciolan, Policy Analyst, Transatlantic Alumni Network; Laura Kaun, Policy and Campaigns Officer, European Women’s Lobby; and Andrea Carta, Legal Strategist, Greenpeace. 

MC12: the ingredients to make it a success

13 Jun 2022
All Committees
Trade & External Affairs

After being postponed last December due to rising COVID-19 rates, the twelfth Ministerial Conference of the WTO will take place in Geneva between 12-15 June. The Ministerial will take place under challenging and divisive circumstances, including the remaining effects of the COVID pandemic and the devastation caused by the war in Ukraine. These and other issues will make it difficult for the Ministerial to make progress towards an agreed common statement. Regardless, as US business in Europe, we emphasise the importance of the WTO as a pillar of the rules-based multilateral trading system and a stabiliser and unifier for international trade.

Meet the Youth Entrepreneurship Award finalists

9 Jun 2022
All Committees
Executive Council

As the EU celebrates the European Year of Youth, AmCham EU and JA Europe are pleased to announce the three finalists for the 2022 Youth Entrepreneurship Award. The award, now in its 10th edition, recognises young people’s entrepreneurial spirit and aims to foster innovation in Europe. The finalists were selected from a pool of applicants from all over Europe. Each will receive a monetary prize as well as a contribution for their local JA Europe organisation. In addition to funding, the winning company will receive expert mentorship from AmCham EU’s senior executives. The winner will be selected by a high-level jury and announced on Wednesday, 15 June at AmCham EU’s Gala evening.

Simona Popa sits down with the Martens Centre at #EPPRotterdam

9 Jun 2022
All Committees
European Parliament Outreach

Taking a step away from the action of the EPP Congress in Rotterdam, Simona Popa (InterDigital), Vice-Chair, European Parliament Outreach Task Force, AmCham EU, sat down with Margherita Movarelli, Head of Communications and Marketing, Martens Centre, to discuss the future of the transatlantic relationship. The discussion was part of a series of sideline events hosted by the EPP's political foundation and think tank during the party Congress. Simona Popa explained that while the transatlantic relationship is strong, based on unified values and economic ties, more ambition is needed from leaders on both sides of the Atlantic to solve shared challenges. Watch the full interview for more.

Discussing the upcoming Czech Presidency in Prague

9 Jun 2022
All Committees
Presidency

The AmCham EU Presidency delegation was in Prague from Tuesday, 31 May to Thursday, 2 June 2022 for a series of meetings ahead of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU, commencing on Friday, 1 July 2022. The delegation met with representatives of the Czech government as well as other key stakeholders. AmCham EU would like to thank AmCham Czech Republic for their support prior to and during the Presidency delegation. We would also like to thank the US Embassy to the Czech Republic and specifically Ambassador Michael J. Dodman, Chargé d´affaires for welcoming us in Czech Republic.

Checking in from #EPPRotterdam

9 Jun 2022
All Committees
European Parliament Outreach

Last week a delegation from AmCham EU’s European Parliament Outreach Task Force attended the 27th EPP Party Congress in Rotterdam, Netherlands from Tuesday, 31 May to Wednesday, 1 June. The Congress was highlighted by the election of Manfred Weber as the next EPP President, who takes over the role from Donald Tusk. The delegation had the pleasure of speaking with many party members during the two days including Donald Tusk, former President of the EPP; Roberta Metsola, MEP (EPP, MT) and President of the European Parliament; Simona Busuttil, Secretary General, EPP Group and many more influential guests including other MEPs, Commissioners, Prime Ministers and Member State politicians.

Reporting from Dublin and the #ALDECongress

9 Jun 2022
All Committees
European Parliament Outreach

As part of AmCham EU's European Parliament outreach, a delegation joined the ALDE Party Congress in Dublin, Ireland from Thursday, 2 June to Saturday, 4 June. During the Congress, the delegation engaged with MEPs, Commissioners, Prime Ministers and Member State politicians. AmCham EU representatives also participated in two roundtables on green innovation and the road to the digital transformation in Europe. Alberto Zilio (AT&T), Chair, European Parliament Outreach Task Force, AmCham EU, also participated in a Liberal Espresso on EU Trade relations hosted by Daniel Kaddik, Executive-Director, European Liberal Forum.  

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