Open access to EU documents is essential for improving communication about EU

5.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 18th Apr 2007

Today, 18 April, the Commission released a Green Paper on public access to documents held by Community institutions. Parliament already adopted its recommendations to improve Regulation 1049/2001 back in April 2006.

This current review is part of the wider "Transparency Initiative" which encompasses stricter rules of lobbying the institutions, better scrutiny of structural funds, and improved consultation standards.

Diana Wallis MEP (UK, Lib Dem), Vice President in charge of transparency and access to documents said:

"This consultation by the Commission is welcome but we cannot afford to delay strengthening provisions on transparency. It will hopefully lead to a clarification of some of the problems encountered in the first years of application of the Union's transparency policy. Parliament itself has a good record of granting access to information it holds, but it should not become complacent.

"I urge all parties involved to be cautious and not to restrict the scope of the right of access to documents, but rather to keep the legislation under review."

"Openness in the legislative process is particularly important, and all institutions need to provide citizens with clear and up to date information on urgent issues which are being decided upon. All too often, citizens and interest groups cannot get hold of the information that they want at the right moment.

"Transparency is a key element of better communication. The Commission and all institutions must not be found wanting.

"I encourage everyone to participate in this consultation, in particular those who may be interested in accessing information on the environment."

Background notes:

-Diana Wallis MEP is the Vice President in charge of transparency and access to documents.

-The Commission's consultation is entitled: Green Paper on Public Access to Documents held by Institutions of the European Community - A Review, its reference is (COM(2007) 185 final). It was adopted today by the college of Commissioners.

-Regulation (EC) n° 1049/2001 is the main piece of legislative under review. Regulation (EC) n° 1367/2006 on the Aarhus Convention is also relevant.

-the expected schedule is:

-Public consultation: until mid July 2007

-Report on outcome of consultation: September 2007

-Proposals for amending the Regulation: October 2007

-the European Parliament received almost 2000 requests for access in 2006. In more than 80% of cases, access was granted, compared with the Commission's rate of around 66%.