Transparency initiative
The Commission launched a European transparency initiative in November 2005, which is now set to result in changes. The initiative came after the French and Dutch rejection of the proposed Constitution and followed on from ‘plan D’ on dialogue with the citizens.
The hearing round concluded on 30 August 2006. The responses from the Member States and interested parties can be read on the link below. The Commission is preparing various lines of action. The main ones are as follows:
- The rules on access to documents in Regulation No 1049 of 2001 will be improved.
- A database of all advisory committees will be set up.
- New legislative proposals will be put out to broad consultation in the Member States.
- A code of administrative conduct will be introduced.
- A common website for all recipients of EU support will be set up.
- The register of EU documents will be extended.
- Professional ethics rules will be introduced for officials in all institutions.
- The rules on fraud prevention for OLAF will be changed.
- The Commission proposes voluntary registration of lobbyists. Registration in the USA and Canada is compulsory.
- Minimum standards will be established for consultation and compulsory information on support, even when its management is shared between the EU and the Member States.
- Former German President Roman Herzog reported in 2007 that 84% of all German legislation now come from the EU.
Links
Transparency Initiative: http://ec.europa.eu/commission......oso/kallas/transparency_en.htm
