Press Release: Lobbying transparency key to EU democratic legitimacy, say NGOs

The official launch on 19 July 2005 of the Alliance for Lobbying Transparency and Ethics Regulation (ALTER-EU) was attended by European Commissioner for Administrative Affairs, Audit and Anti-Fraud Siim Kallas, who in March 2005 initiated the European Transparency Initiative. ALTER-EU's founding statement, which calls for an end to the current secrecy and privileged access to EU decision-makers enjoyed by business interests, is supported by over 140 civil society groups, trade unions, academics and public affairs firms.