30/03/2021 (Agence Europe) – The European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, notes that with the pandemic and the holding of remote meetings, an additional veil of secrecy has fallen over the decision-making process of the Council of the European Union. “The remote ministerial meetings did not meet the transparency standards that apply to in-person Council meetings in normal circumstances”, she said in a statement issued on Friday 26 March. She suggested that the Council make more use of written comments in advance of working group meetings, which she felt improved transparency. She requested that all documents be published in the public register as soon as they are published internally, including working documents discussed in working groups. The same applies to documents relating to informal ministerial meetings. (PH)