Last November, EU Budget Commissioner, Günther Oettinger, delivered the keynote address at the EFB Summit.

In his address he acknowledged that the transfer of business to the next generation represents for family businesses the most critical moment in life of the company. He rightly noted that the most successful family businesses transfers happen when the family implements the succession plan that is already aligned with the values of the family.

He spent few words on the EU’s new long-term budget, assuring the audience that the Commission will ensure that SMEs are fully supported within the MFF 2021-2027. Importantly, he recognised that the Commission must ‘take further steps and ensure that European businesses of tomorrow, including family businesses, operate in well organised, vibrant ecosystems and that they can receive modern and stable policy support.’

On the Future of Europe, Mr. Oettinger noted that the next 6 years will be difficult, because of both internal (rule of law in some countries, national budgets in others, lack of competitiveness and skills, …) and external challenges.

He underlined the importance of the digital revolution in all fields and called for a joint effort to support the common EU interest for a Europeanization of the digital policy, as no one is ready to compete or stand alone.