Adoption of lobbying report
Julkaistu 1.4.2008
Lobbyists - The Parliament goes for more transparency. Alexander Stubb MEP
The Constitutional Affairs Committee of the Parliament has adopted a report by Alexander Stubb MEP on activities of interest representatives (lobbyists) in the EU.
"Lobbies are an essential part of the work done by MEP's. Policy-making would be very poor without their contribution. With this report we ensure a level playing field to lobbies and increase transparency", Mr Stubb says.
Stubb continues: "We welcome the Commission's proposal to include financial disclosure. Among other means we call for a common register and common code of conduct between Parliament, Commission and Council. This is a major step forward."
"This report should clarify some of the myths around lobbying. The report is fully supported by the EPP-ED group", says Inigo Mendez de Vigo MEP, Spokesman of the EPP-ED Group in the Committee of Constitutional Affairs.
The report envisages a joint high level working group between the institutions to work on the details of e.g. financial disclosure. The Committee considers that mandatory registration should be a requirement for lobbyists wanting a regular access as is already the case in the Parliament. It asks also for disclosure of support received by the intergroups. The idea of a legislative footprint is acknowledged.
It is estimated that there are about 15 000 lobbyists and 2 500 lobby organisations in
According to Mr Stubb lobbying should be defined as broadly as possible excluding roles foreseen in the Treaties: "Anyone who comes into my office and tries to influence a piece of legislation, is a lobbyist in my eyes."
Further information:
Alexander STUBB MEP, tel: +32 2 2845264
Antti Timonen, EPP-ED Press Service, tel: +32474851831
