Commission and Parliament move closer on achieving a single register for lobbyists

2.23.16pm GMT Wed 24th Feb 2010

Diana Wallis, the MEP responsible for transparency, says there is a good possibility of achieving a single register between the EP and the Commission for Brussels-based lobbyists.

In April 2009 a high-level working group led by Ms. Wallis already agreed on a first series of steps towards achieving this. Links to both institutions' registers were put on a joint website, and compromises were found on what criteria lobbyists would have to declare when signing up to the Commission's register.

Diana Wallis, a Vice President of the European Parliament, said today:

"The differences between the two institutions have been narrowed. We are close to creating a 'one-stop shop', and while the Commission has had its internal revolution, it is now time for the Parliament and MEPs to ensure that its lobbyists are toeing the line.

"After a slow-ish start to the Commission's register, we have seen a consistent rise in the number of lobbyists signing on; over 2500 have registered by now,"

In June 2008 the European Commission launched its lobby register in an effort to boost the transparency of EU decision-making.

While the Commission's register is a voluntary scheme, the Parliament's register is 'de facto' mandatory because all lobbyists have to sign on in order to get an access badge to enter its premises. It is thought that joining the two together will strengthen the system, as all who want to access Parliament will have to make financial declarations in line with the rules for the Commission's scheme.

It is thought that technical issues, such as who will house the register and how to deal with the access badges to the Parliament and so on could be resolved by spring. A meeting of the high-level group with the new Commissioner responsible for this dossier, Mr. Maros Sefcovic, will have to take place before any action can be taken on the single register. Such a meeting could take place in April.