NGO transparency and regulation questioned

This follows the growing debate on lobbying in Brussels, launched by Siim Kallas, Commissioner for administration and the fight, in 2005 through the European Transparency Initiative. It also coincides with an initiative from Commissioner Frattini to establish a Code of Conduct for NGOs.

The Civil Society Contact Group responds to Silvana Koch-Mehrin, enhancing the commitment of NGOs to increase transparency, notably through information disclosudre and the adoption of ethical rules. The CSCG counteracts the argument that NGOs lack financial transparency by taking the European anti-fraud office (OLAF) data into account: Since 2001, only ten NGOs have been found guilty of not being transparent out of the 3000 enquiries into bodies benefiting from European funding.

The CSCG also stresses the importance of involving a plurality of voices in the European debate, including voices that are critical of the current European policies.

Following the announcement of the transparency initiative in March 2005, the European Commission adopted a communication setting out the European Commission strategy to implement the ETI. The CSCG has published a joint contribution, calling for better publicity and accountability regarding EU funding, enhanced ethical rules for EU institutions and more transparent lobbying.

A European Commission Green Paper is expected to be published during the spring 2006 in order to broaden the debate.