On Thursday 27 November, MEPs adopted the report by Adina Vălean (EPP, Romanian) on the directive on establishing harmonised requirements in the internal market on transparency of interest representation carried out on behalf of third countries (392 votes in favour, 88 against and 133 abstentions). The European Parliament as a whole endorsed the position of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumers (see EUROPE 13732/25).
The report introduces a unified definition of activities involving the representation of interests on behalf of third countries. For the rapporteur, what is needed is legal certainty throughout the EU, but also a level playing field for these activities, which are currently treated differently across the EU.
Parliament’s approach is also to protect legitimate professional and diplomatic activities, such as legal representation and media coverage, which remain outside the scope of the directive.
The European Parliament is now ready to negotiate with the Council of the EU, which has not yet adopted its position.
To see the report adopted: https://aeur.eu/f/jou (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)