Amsterdam
European Ombudsman Jacob Söderman last week condemned the European Commission's secrecy around the Transatlantic Business Dialogue (TABD). The Commission has for over two years refused the Amsterdam-based Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) access to key documents on the Commission's involvement in the business dialogue. In a 'draft recommendation' dated June 27, the Ombudsman concludes that the refusal is "maladministration" and calls the Commission to give CEO access to the requested documents.
Through the TABD over 100 of the largest EU and US-based corporations jointly identify regulations and policies which they consider "barriers to transatlantic trade". Due to far-reaching support from the European Commission and the US government, the industry body routinely succeeds in weakening or postponing new consumer and environment protection measures. The Ombudsman's call to end the Commission's secrecy is a significant victory for civil society which for several year has campaigned against the TABD's privileged political power and the lack of transparency.
The Commission denied CEO access to the documents claiming to protect
"international relations" and arguing that there is "no real public interest in disclosure". The Ombudsman in his recommendation concludes that CEO "is entitled to invoke a public interest in disclosure of documents concerning the Commission's relationship with TABD".
European Ombudsman Jacob Söderman last week condemned the European Commission's secrecy around the Transatlantic Business Dialogue (TABD). The Commission has for over two years refused the Amsterdam-based Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) access to key documents on the Commission's involvement in the business dialogue. In a 'draft recommendation' dated June 27, the Ombudsman concludes that the refusal is "maladministration" and calls the Commission to give CEO access to the requested documents.
Through the TABD over 100 of the largest EU and US-based corporations jointly identify regulations and policies which they consider "barriers to transatlantic trade". Due to far-reaching support from the European Commission and the US government, the industry body routinely succeeds in weakening or postponing new consumer and environment protection measures. The Ombudsman's call to end the Commission's secrecy is a significant victory for civil society which for several year has campaigned against the TABD's privileged political power and the lack of transparency.
The Commission denied CEO access to the documents claiming to protect
"international relations" and arguing that there is "no real public interest in disclosure". The Ombudsman in his recommendation concludes that CEO "is entitled to invoke a public interest in disclosure of documents concerning the Commission's relationship with TABD".