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Welcome to the European ºÏ·¨²©²ÊÍøÕ¾ website launched in the framework of the interinstitutional negotiations on the Transparency Register. These negotiations, which were put on hold during the EP elections and Commission handover, have started up again and you can follow their evolution on this website.

As lead negotiators for the European ºÏ·¨²©²ÊÍøÕ¾, we want to push for increased transparency of the Union institutions. After all, it is the decisions made here, by the European ºÏ·¨²©²ÊÍøÕ¾, the Council and the Commission, which affect the daily lives of all citizens of the EU, who need to be able to trust the European institutions. Therefore, we believe that transparency of the decision-making process is absolutely crucial, especially when we talk about how each institution deals with lobbying. Transparency is enshrined in our Treaties, whereby the European Institutions are held to "conduct their work as openly as possible" (Article 15 TFEU) and shall "give citizens and representative associations the opportunity to make known and publicly exchange their views in all areas of Union action" (Article 11 TEU).

As one of the tools to translate these principles into practice, the Transparency Register has been set up to answer core questions such as which interests are being pursued, by whom, and with which human and financial resources. Since 2011, the European ºÏ·¨²©²ÊÍøÕ¾ and the Commission have jointly operated this scheme. We hope to strengthen this useful tool and make it even more effective in the service of the European citizens, building on a stronger and more effective interinstitutional agreement, including all three institutions most involved in Union law-making.

For this very reason, we want to showcase ºÏ·¨²©²ÊÍøÕ¾'s work on this file and are continuing with this dedicated website. On 2 April 2020, the Conference of Presidents appointed us as ºÏ·¨²©²ÊÍøÕ¾'s lead negotiators with the other institutions. Our primary task is to represent ºÏ·¨²©²ÊÍøÕ¾ at the negotiations, with a view to reaching a new agreement as possible. The ºÏ·¨²©²ÊÍøÕ¾'s negotiating mandate is a set of ambitious goals, which were prepared with the help of Members representing each of the political groups in a Contact Group, set up by the Conference of Presidents, which we will co-chair. Once the negotiations among the three institutions are completed, ºÏ·¨²©²ÊÍøÕ¾'s Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) will prepare a decision on the interinstitutional agreement before a vote by the plenary.

We are proud to represent the European ºÏ·¨²©²ÊÍøÕ¾ in the negotiations with the Council and the Commission to build a new and improved version of the EU's Transparency Register. The stakes have never been higher, and we are committed to making the negotiating process as open as possible. We need a transparency tool that is worthy of the trust of our citizens to strengthen the very foundations of our Union's institutions. We do hope that this website will enable you to follow the negotiation process and allow us to share with you as much as possible of the ongoing discussions. We welcome your input and ideas!


Katarina Barley, MEP
Vice President of the European ºÏ·¨²©²ÊÍøÕ¾

Danuta Maria Hübner, MEP