Dear correspondents,<\/p>\n
For the first time, the European Parliament has the opportunity to vote on binding rules for lobby transparency instead of broadly ignored voluntary recommendations. However, after political and legal roadblocks have been cleared, the European Peoples’ Party (EPP) group tries every trick in the book to block binding transparency rules. The EPP decided to ask for a vote on transparency in secrecy. In the run-up to the European elections it is vital that we bring more transparency to the EU, in order to install trust in the EU institutions. If the vote adopts binding lobby transparency rules or cements the voluntary system has direct effects on the stalled interinstitutional negotiations on the Transparency Register for lobbyists. Commission\u2019s Vice-President and S&D leading candidate Frans Timmermans made Parliament\u2019s readiness for binding rules a precondition to re-start talks.<\/p>\n
The Parliament will vote on proposed changes to transparency rules on Thursday the 31sth of January in Brussels.<\/p>\n
On this topic, I would like to in invite you to a press breakfast on Tuesday the 29th of November to discuss the state of play ahead of the plenary vote.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Who?<\/b> Sven Giegold, Greens\/EFA MEP and the European Parliament\u2019s rapporteur on transparency, accountability and integrity in the EU institutions<\/p>\n
When?<\/b> Tuesday, 29 November, 9.30 am.<\/p>\n
Where?<\/b> Member’s Restaurant, European Parliament (ASP building, ground floor).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The press breakfast will be in English.<\/p>\n