Ombudsman calls for more trilogues transparency

The European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, urged on 14 July 2016 the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission to further increase the transparency of law-making in the EU by publishing key documents related to their informal negotiations known as 'trilogues'.

These documents include trilogue dates and summary agendas; the positions of both co-legislators on the Commission’s proposal; and the names of the decision-makers present in trilogue meetings. Documents that track the main stages of the process should be published as soon as possible after the negotiations end.

The Ombudsman also proposed that the institutions make available lists of documents tabled during trilogue negotiations to facilitate public access. The institutions should also develop a single, easy to use, database on which all the above information concerning trilogues would be published.

Ms O'Reilley initially opened an investigation into the transparency of 'trilogues' in May 2015, followed by the launch of a public consultation on transparency of 'trilogues' in December 2015.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: On knowledge as power: transparency of EU law-making procedures http://www.europeansources.info/record/on-knowledge-as-power-transparency-of-eu-law-making-procedures/

EurActiv, 14.07.16: Publish papers from secretive talks on EU law, Ombudsman tells institutions http://www.euractiv.com/section/public-affairs/news/publish-papers-from-trialogue-talks-on-eu-law-ombudsman-tells-institutions/

EUObserver, 14.07.16: EU 'must lift lid' on secretive 'deal-making' https://euobserver.com/institutional/134340

Politico, 14.07.16: EU’s public watchdog calls for more lawmaking transparency http://www.politico.eu/article/eus-public-watchdog-calls-for-more-lawmaking-transparency/

ESO: Find further information in ESO on this topic http://www.europeansources.info/advSearchLink?keyword=trilogues%20transparency&searchOption=all

European Ombudsman: Cases: Strategic Inquiries: Case: OI/8/2015/JAS : Disclosure, by the European Parliament, Council of the EU and European Commission, of documents relating to trilogues and transparency of trilogues in general http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/cases/case.faces/en/46048/html.bookmark

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 18.08.16: Disclosure, by the European Parliament, Council of the EU and European Commission, of documents relating to trilogues and transparency of trilogues in general http://bit.ly/2b2D6qK

Politico, 07.12.16: Where European democracy goes to die http://www.politico.eu/article/where-european-democracy-goes-to-die-european-parliament/

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