European Transparency Initiative

The European Transparency Initiative was introduced by the European Commission in 2005 in order to increase transparency, openness and accountability of EU governance processes.

In May 2006, the Commission published a Green Paper which was intended to launch a debate with stakeholders on how to improve transparency of EU Funds, to increase consultation with civil society and to create a framework for the role of the lobbies and NGOs in the European institutions' decision-making process.

The AER submitted a response to the Commission, saying that, whilst we are very clearly in favour of greater transparency in European decision-making, we would not wish to see the regions  as democratically elected bodies accountable to their citizens - subject to the same rules as industrial lobbyists.

The European Commission has taken the AER's comments into account and as a result regions are not implicated by the European Transparency Initiative.

Following a paper by Maja Kluger Rasmussen about the weaknesses of present rules of transparency in the European Parliament, on 11th May 2011 the Parliament adopted an agreement with the European Commission on the establishment of a common “transparency register”. This register will list the lobbyists and other structures, such as NGOs, that work together with the European decision makers. A list with all the contacts between members of this register and MEPs will be annexed to all parliamentary reports. Until now registration is optional but there are demands for making it obligatory and for including a declaration of financial interests.
The Council is also requested to participate in this initiative.

Please find below the link to the:

Voluntary register of interest representatives