To answer European citizens' concerns about the independence of EU institutions, a European transparency register was created in 2011. Now the EU wants to make it mandatory.

EU politics

consumer protection

economic policy

rights of the individual

EU pushes for a mandatory EU Transparency Registry

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/10577210/N01-PUB-180516-NEGO-EN.srt

Lobbying has long been cloaked in mystery.

Now the EU wants to shed more light on the practice.

For the first time, the Parliament, Commission and Council

are negotiating the creation of a mandatory EU Transparency Register.

Until now, the registry, which identifies both companies and individuals lobbying the EU,

has been voluntary and has only included the Commission and Parliament.

If the three institutions agree on the reforms,

the registry will become compulsory and will include the Council.

So, of course they have the right to expect transparency from us

and a freedom of action compared to the groups

that should have interests in the decisions.

These changes would represent a big win for EU citizens

who will be able to see exactly which companies

and individuals are trying to sway political decisions.

Citizens, when they know more about how Europe functions,

they can also develop this feeling of ownership, of responsibility for Europe.

We don't want to be far from our citizens.

Only eight EU countries have a mandatory lobby register.

Making the register mandatory for everybody would mark the biggest change

Although talks are still in the early stages,

the three institutions have agreed on one thing:

the negotiations themselves must be transparent.