(01/04/08) Lobbyen voortaan transparanter?

• 2008-04-02

Vandaag stemde de commissie Constitutionele Zaken van het Europees Parlement voor nieuwe regels omtrent het lobbyen in Brussel. De commissie hoopt zo op meer transparantie in de relaties tussen lobbyisten en de Europese instellingen.

Tot dusver verschuilden sommige organisaties zich achter misleidende namen om EU-ambtenaren te beïnvloeden. Als de plenaire vergadering van het EP op 8 mei 2008 het voorstel goedkeurt zullen de duizenden lobbyisten in Brussel voortaan hun opdrachtgevers en financiers moeten vermelden in een openbaar register. Aldus moet het duidelijker worden wie welke belangen behartigt. Het register van lobbyisten gaat gepaard met een gedragscode.

Alexander Stubb, de opsteller van het rapport, stelt voor dat parlementariërs hun bronnen melden in hun wetsvoorstellen.

Volgens Stubb is een verplichte registratie niet nodig omdat in feite de lobbyisten zich toch moeten aanmelden om toegang tot de gebouwen van het Europarlement te krijgen. De Groenen vinden zijn voorstellen niet ver genoeg gaan. Ze hadden ook graag meer openheid over de financiën van de lobbygroenen gezien.

Het rapport is vandaag in de commissie gestemd met 18 stemmen voor, 1 tegen en 3 onthoudingen.

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PERSBERICHT VAN DE GROENE FRACTIE op 31 maart 2008

Greens/EFA call for greater ambition in transparency proposals

Commenting on tomorrow's vote on the report on "Lobbyists in the European institutions" in the Constitutional Affairs Committee, Monica Frassoni, Co-president of the Greens/EFA group and shadow draftswoman, said:

"The European Parliament must not abdicate its responsibilities for greater openness and democracy. A mandatory register and financial disclosure system for lobbyists must be put in place before parliamentary elections in 2009.

Lobbying is a significant, established part of the political landscape. A clear set of rules applies to decision makers. We believe that a clear set of rules should also apply to those who seek to influence them.

The biggest obstacle to greater transparency is regrettably a lack of will. Alexander Stubb's report, with its weak and confused proposals on registration and financial disclosure, appears more interested in stalling and muddying the waters than improving the transparency around decision making.

If we want to move towards a more transparent system, as exists in the United States, the necessary steps are clear. The only meaningful register is a mandatory one that includes the names of lobbyists and comprehensive financial information.

We hope that this direction will be taken and we would welcome the participation of the Council and European Commission in such a scheme. In any case the European Parliament has ample means and reasons to take this step now, and alone if necessary."

Claude Turmes, Green MEP and European Parliament Environment Committee draftsman of an opinion on the report, added:

"The unchecked lobbying process is one of the causes of Europeans' distrust of the EU and its institutions. If the European Parliament is not to lose credibility, it must introduce mandatory registration and financial disclosure before the elections next year. The European Parliament's own legal service has acknowledged this is feasible.

By accepting exemptions to think-tanks and lawyers, two key lobbying channels, Alexander Stubb is leaving a back door open. Anyone can create a think-tank for any purpose, but unethical practices are not currently outlawed. Blacklisting could be a dissuasive possible penalty for those who break the rules.

It is unacceptable that high-level officials have been able to move directly from regulating to representing specific private interests. It is time to stop these so-called 'revolving doors'. We also call for transparency in all advisory, high-level and expert groups of the European Commission."

Zie ook Barts tussenkomst in het debat op 19 februari 2008 over de transparantie in financiële aangelegenheden