Cooperatives Europe calls for dialogue and partnership with MEPs to promote the recognition and mainstreaming of the co-operative business model in EU policies

The newly elected European Parliament (elections 4-7 June 09) will have a central role in helping the European Union build a sustainable and value based economy and society. It will be called upon to decide on proposals that may have a deep impact on co-operative societies.

The European institutions and EU Member States must respect the diversity of its economic actors and facilitate the development of all the forms of enterprise; this will be the most potent prescription for reinforcing the European economy.

Cooperatives Europe is therefore asking for the support of all candidates for election to the European Parliament and will be initiating a dialogue and partnership with elected MEPs in order to promote the recognition and the mainstreaming of the co-operative business model within the EU policies on an equal basis with that of the company model.

To help candidates and their supporters understand the issues of concern to co-operative societies, Cooperatives Europe has published an Election Memorandum.

The issues covered include:

• Our Vision of Europe

o a Europe by and for the citizens

o value-based economy

o adequate and convergent level of protection to everyone working and living in the EU

o plurality of entrepreneurial forms

o better co-operation inside Europe

• The functioning of the Internal Market

o Co-operatives are part of the market

o Enterprise policy must be conducive to the development of all types of enterprise.

o Cooperatives Europe requests that when the Commission is applying competition rules, it should take into account the specific co-operative model of doing business and not just the shareholder company model.

• EU Cohesion Policy

o Considering their local roots and the fact that they pursue social goals through business activities, co-operative enterprises are key players in the success of any cohesion policy, and we call for recognition of our role

• Social Dialogue

o Cooperatives Europe and its members are therefore ready to play their part in the consultation process in the different levels of the European sector and cross sector social dialogue.

• Sustainable Development

o organised action at European level, involving all stakeholders

Read and Download the full Memorandum: ‘Building the Europe of Tomorrow with Co-operative Enterprises’ below

For further information contact Agnes Mathis, Deputy Director – Cooperatives Europe Tel: (32/2) 743 10 33