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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

01 March 2001

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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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