Decision 2014/839 - 2014/839/EU, Euratom: Commission Decision of 25 November 2014 on the publication of information on meetings held between Members of the Commission and organisations or self-employed individuals - Main contents

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 343/22

In accordance with Article 11(1) and (2) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), the institutions must, by appropriate means, give citizens and representative associations the opportunity to make known and publicly exchange their views in all areas of Union action. They are also required to maintain an open, transparent and regular dialogue with representative associations and civil society. Further, in accordance with Article 2 of Protocol No 2 on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, and with Article 11(3) TEU, the Commission has to consult widely before proposing legislative acts.

For these purposes, the Members of the Commission, and members of their Cabinets, regularly meet with organisations or self-employed individuals, in order to learn about the difficulties they are confronted with and to understand their views on Union policies and legislation.

In accordance with Article 10(3) TEU, in order to facilitate the participation of European citizens in the democratic life of the Union and to ensure that decisions are taken as openly as possible, it is important to enable citizens to know what contacts the Members of the Commission and members of their Cabinets have with organisations or self-employed individuals.

Citizens already have a right of access to documents of the institutions pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1). This Decision does not concern access to documents nor the application of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001.

In line with the Political Guidelines of 15 July 2014 laid down by the President of the Commission, the Commission is committed to enhancing transparency in respect of contacts with stakeholders and lobbyists.

While there is no need for further measures with regard to the participation of Members of the Commission and members of their Cabinets in public events, since such information is already in the public domain, the publication of information on meetings held with organisations or self-employed individuals would further enhance the transparency of the action of the Commission.

The Members of the Commission should therefore make public information on meetings held by them or by members of their Cabinets with organisations or self-employed individuals on issues relating to decision-making and policy implementation in the Union.

Meetings with representatives of other Union institutions or bodies, which reflect the ordinary course of interinstitutional relations, are not covered by this Decision. Meetings with representatives of public authorities of the Member States are not covered by this Decision as those authorities pursue the general interest and contribute to the work of the Commission under the principle of sincere cooperation. In order to protect the international relations of the Union, meetings with representatives of public authorities of third countries and of international organisations are not covered by this Decision. This Decision is not applicable to the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission for the meetings she holds in...