28 March 2012
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European
Federation of Journalists calls for an end to secret negotiations
and a "fresh start" on the code of access to EU documents
The European
Federation of Journalists (EFJ) have written to the Council of
the European Union, the European Commission and the European
Parliament calling for an end of the secret "trilogue"
discussions on the new code of access to EU documents. Instead
they call for all the current drafts to be rejected and for the
Commission - who put forward the initial proposal - to reconsider
its view.
In a statement, adopted on 25 March, the EFJ says that:
1. They reject all drafts on the table from the three EU institutions as:
"these proposals do not fulfil promises made in the Treaty of Amsterdam to establish new rules creating genuine transparency and open government within the institutions of the European Union"
2. They deplore the "trilogue" meetings between the Council and the European Parliament:
"being carried out in secrecy, giving citizens little opportunity to take part in or influence the process."
3. They demand that:
"the Commission proposal is reviewed to give room for a fresh start, where the question will be dealt with openly and in proper consultation with civil society"
This statement by the EFJ reflects the views expressed by civil society organisations at a seminar held in the European Parliament last month.
Text of the: EFJ
statement
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