As Baron Jacobs departs, Dr. Jurgen Strube starts as new President of UNICE

After 5 years at the helm of European employers' federation UNICE, Baron George Jacobs steps down to make room for Dr. Strube, who promises to carry on with key policy objectives. Baron Jacobs piloted the organisation through the Maastricht Treaty, the introduction of the Euro, enlargement and the Convention on the EU Constitution. At a press conference on 30 June 2003 announcing his appointment, Dr. Strube spelled out his priorities for the years ahead. Citing Lisbon's "competitiveness" objective as that of UNICE, he emphasised that the organisation would focus on continued benchmarking, supporting innovation, a better climate for entrepreneurship, flexible labour markets, completing the internal market, focusing on better regulation, and continued participation in the Trans Atlantic Business Dialogue preparing the WTO meetings in CANCUN.