Negotiators from the EU Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission noted, on Tuesday 6 October, that progress had been made in the negotiations to create a mandatory transparency register (registration of lobbies) applicable to all three institutions (see EUROPE 12508/26).
MEPs Katarina Barley (S&D, Germany) and Danuta Hübner (EPP, Poland), Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová, and German State Secretary for European Affairs, Michael Roth,met to take stock of the process and determine the next steps in the negotiations. The representatives of the three institutions concerned welcomed the progress made, in particular as regards the scope of the new register.
On the scope of the transparency register, the negotiators welcomed the search for a “common coordinated approach” that would leave each institution free to determine the details according to their work. The idea would be to provide, instead of a definition of lobbies, an activity-based approach.
For example, in the case of the European Parliament, if you try to influence MEPs, you will have to register. It is also necessary to ensure, on the European Parliament side, that the mandate of the MEPs is respected. MEPs must continue to be able to meet with people related to their work.
Negotiations will continue in the near future, in particular on the sensitive issue of the ‘conditionality’ principle (possibility of meeting only with registered lobbyists).
The German EU Council Presidency hopes to make progress by the end of the year. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)