MEPs urge new EU Commission to address systematic delays in public access to documents

MEPs want the Commission to urgently resolve the issue of delays in granting public access

The Commission should disclose documents related to the Emission Trading System

MEPs are concerned about the transparency of the Commission’s interactions with the tobacco industry

The European Parliament praises Emily O'Reilly’s work in 2023 on access to documents, fundamental rights, ethical issues and accountability in EU institutions.

On Tuesday, the European Parliament adopted with 598 votes in favour, 17 against and no abstentions, a report evaluating the work of the outgoing EU Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly in 2023.

Access to documents

Following an Ombudsman special report that revealed maladministration in the systematic delays of the Commission in granting public access to documents, the Petitions Committee expects a clear commitment by the new College of Commissioners to resolve this situation as a matter of urgency.

Highlighting the Commission’s refusal to disclose documents concerning environmental emissions under the EU Emission Trading System, and implement the Ombudsman’s proposed solution, MEPs want the Commission to guarantee public access to this information. MEPs also criticised the Commission’s failure to grant public access to emails and messages related to Covid-19 vaccine purchases, among other issues.

They urge the Council to engage in negotiations to revise Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 on document access and update the definition of EU documents for the digital age, as well as to improve public access.

Ethical issues, transparency and accountability

MEPs raised transparency concerns over the Commission’s interactions with the tobacco industry. They remind the Commission that the EU has signed the WTO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which obliges the Union and its member states to protect health policy-making from the interests of the tobacco industry.

MEPs want the EU institutions to pay close attention to lobbying activities that might compromise transparency and increase the risk of conflict of interest, referencing the progress made in transparency with the updated Code of Conduct for MEPs following the Qatar corruption scandal.

Quote

“This vote represents an overwhelming endorsement of the Ombudsman’s 2023 annual report and a strong commitment to upholding transparency, accountability and the highest standards of integrity across all EU Institutions, bodies, offices and agencies. The report’s overwhelming majority is a clear message that we support the principles of good governance, which are essential to maintaining the trust of our citizens,” rapporteur Alex Agius Saliba (S&D, MT) said.

Background

This will be the final report evaluating the activities of Emily O’Reilly, who has served as European Ombudsman since 2013. During the same session, the European Parliament elected Teresa Anjinho as the new Ombudsman for a five-year mandate.

Each year, the Ombudsman submits a report to Parliament on the outcome of inquiries in the public interest. The top three concerns appearing in inquiries in 2023 were transparency, accountability and public access to documents and information (34.2%), culture of service (21.5%), and the recruitment of EU civil servants (15.3%).