Transparency must be the basis of EU business

4.43.39pm GMT Wed 21st Mar 2007

Reacting to the Commission's announcement today on measures to increase the transparency of lobbyists and stakeholders influencing decision-making at an EU level, Graham Watson MEP, Leader of the Liberal and Democrat group in the European Parliament backed all efforts to improve the climate of openness:

"Transparency is key to rebuilding trust between European institutions and Europe's citizens. We have plenty of evidence that the situation is improving as a result of greater access to documents, to Council debates and to beneficiaries of EU funds. At the same time there is always room for improvement. We should not relax our standards, especially given the high stakes involved in some very sensitive and commercially important issues."

"It is a normal part of the democratic process that politicians and decision-makers are lobbied by representatives of different sides of an argument. People must be free to express their view. The quid pro quo for access to legislators must be full disclosure on the financial backing and political agenda of the organisations concerned."

"Wherever possible a voluntary approach with incentives is preferable to a mandatory one with punitive sanctions. I support the approach of Commissioner Kallas."