Daily analysis of statements, media narratives and institutional responses
The European Ombudswoman’s inquiry into DG TRADE’s contacts with tobacco-industry representatives creates a test that goes beyond meeting disclosure. The central question is whether the Commission can reconstruct why contacts were necessary, what followed them, and whether corrective measures adopted after an earlier maladministration finding worked in practice.
Executive summary The European Commission uses a consultation format known as a reality check to obtain information from stakeholders it has selected about practical obstacles in implementing EU rules. The Commission considers these meetings exempt from standard transparency requirements for meetings with interest representatives because they are intended to gather factual information, data or expertise. … Read more
Executive summary A requester sought public access to a letter by which the Serbian authorities supported the designation of the Jadar lithium-mining project as a strategic project under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act. The European Commission initially refused access, arguing that disclosure could undermine international relations with Serbia. After the requester submitted a confirmatory … Read more