On the evening of Monday 20 January, the Bureau of the European Parliament requested that consultations be held within the European Union institution with staff committees and the data protection officer on new transparency measures concerning meetings between European Parliament officials in “management” roles and representatives of interest groups or third countries.
Under these measures, Parliament’s Secretary-General, Directors-General, Directors, Heads of Unit, Heads of Liaison Offices and Team Leaders would only be able to meet lobbyists who have registered beforehand in the European Union’s transparency register.
The people concerned would be required to declare any meetings planned as part of parliamentary business with representatives of interests or third countries. The information declared would be public.
These proposed measures for European Parliament administration managers complement the accountability measures that already apply to all MEPs following the interinstitutional agreement on the transparency register, according to Parliament’s press service (see EUROPE 13249/12).
Depending on the outcome of the internal consultations, it will be up to the Bureau of the European Parliament to give final approval to the measures envisaged. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)