Brussels, 23/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 23 June, the European Commission launched its online register of interest representatives engaged in influencing the policy formulation and decision-making processes of the European institutions. Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas informed the press about the event and explained that interest representatives were queuing up to sign the register on Monday. The register is the result of many years of reflection and has been developed on a voluntary basis. The Commission believes that this formula is more effective than the adoption of binding regulation on the profession.
Thanks to the register, information will be made public and indicate which organisations are registered, what their objectives and missions are, and what policy areas they are particularly interested in. Furthermore, they can describe their main activities of interest representation as well as their networking efforts. Registrants will also have to disclose financial information, so that the driving forces behind a lobbying effort become clear. Organisations lobbying on behalf of third parties will have to indicate the names of their clients. When registering, interest representatives must sign up to a code of conduct, elaborated by the Commission, emphasised Mr Kallas. This sets out general principles - such as openness, honesty and integrity, and rules of behaviour that interest representatives are expected to respect.
Asked about the effectiveness of this mechanism by the press, Mr Kallas explained that it involved a system that is set up and controlled by the Commission. He said that the voluntary approach chosen by the Commission was “the fruit of a common commitment” and constituted “shared responsibility”, a formula Kallas regarded as being more effective than binding legislation. The commissioner added that the initiative involved much more than self-regulation because it meant a “change in culture”. Despite this credo, the commissioner for administrative affairs did not rule out the prospect of a regulatory approach if the new system did not achieve the expected results in the medium-term.
Mr Kallas was delighted that the Parliament and Council had positively responded to the appeal launched by the Commission to create a common register for the EU institutions. He indicated that discussions on creating a “one-stop-shop” had already taken place with the Council. The Parliament has proposed the creation of a mixed working group to establish a common register as soon as possible. The Commission intends to participate “constructively” in this group's work. Register address: (http://www.ec.europa.eu/transparency/regrin ). (O.L./transl.rh)