Brussels, 13/09/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has approved a "code of Good Administrative Behaviour", which recalls some major principles and describes several practical rules as to the "courtesy, objectivity and impartiality" expected of officials vis-à-vis the public. Non-discrimination, proportionality, coherence are principles that officials must respect in their work. The code also recalls the obligation to forward decisions taken to the persons concerned, clearly justified and accompanied by a mention of possible paths of appeal. The code stipulates how officials must respond to the requests of the public, that correspondence be in writing - 15-day deadline to answer, in the language of the initial mail (if it is a question of one of the eleven official languages of the EU), or "answer pending" if the answer requires more time -, by telephone, or e-mail. The Commission also provides for public relations to be one of the subjects of training for its staff.
The aim, Vice-President Kinnock told the press, is for the code to serve as much the staff, for its public relations, as well as the public itself, who will thus be better informed of its rights. The text will take effect on 1 November. It will be published in the official journal, giving it legal weight and to enable citizens to possible turn to the Court of justice. Before reaching the courts it will be possible to appeal, in each service, to an official responsible for receiving complaints and assuring the follow-up.
The code will be published on the European Union's site, http: //http://www.europa.eu.int