Brussels, 02/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 2 June, the European Ombudsman, Nikiforos Diamandouros, called on the European Parliament to defend the European Union's commitment to transparency and the right of citizens to accessing EU documents. He criticised the recent European Commission proposals (EUROPE 9655) made during a public “civil liberties, justice and internal affairs” committee at the EP.
According to the Ombudsman, the European Commission's proposals, “would mean access to fewer, not more, documents”. He notes some positive points, such as the project facilitating access to documents for those who are not citizens or residents of the EU. For the others, the Commission proposals will lead to less document access (this was disputed by a Commission spokesperson). According to Mr Diamandouros, the proposals would allow the Commission to grant privileged access to a limited number information seekers of the Commission's choice, without, however, granting public access. The Ombudsman also disputes the Commission's interpretation of the Community courts' case law, such as that on public access to member states' documents, the relationship between public access rules and personal data protection. He has instructed the EP to pro-actively use its role as co-legislator, in order to ensure successful reform of current rules. (L.C.)