Payback time: EU Parliament limits access to other EU bodies

Jan 8, 2010, 16:32 GMT

Brussels - The European Parliament claims to be one of the most transparent democratic institutions of the world. But, a new policy for 2010 has made it more impenetrable to diplomats and officials from other EU institutions, it was reported Friday.

The assembly's leaders have decided to end free access to its facilities for all EU officials, a response to the fact that members of parliament (MEPs) and their staff cannot walk in unannounced in the buildings of the council, where the representatives of the EU's 27 member states meet, or to those of the commission, the EU's executive body.

'It is a question of reciprocity', explained a parliamentary source who did not wish to be named. 'We accept the presence of people from the council and the commission, but we apply the same rules they apply for us,' he added.

The source insisted that the decision is not a 'vendetta' against policies which strictly limit the number of MEPs allowed to enter the council's building in Brussels when summits of EU heads of state and government are taking place.

These meetings - taking place at least four times a year and extensively covered by the press - are an opportunity for MEPs to conquer at least some of the media spotlight.

'Parliament - the source explained - is not questioning the special arrangements in place for special events, and we also recognize that some parts of the buildings of the council, parliament and commission have to be more restricted.'

The stricter rules, he added, are also a result of the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, which raised the parliament's powers and profile vis-a-vis other EU institutions.

According to the new policy, EU officials and diplomats are allowed to enter only if invited for a specific meeting, and, after subjecting themselves to security controls which do not apply for parliament's own staff.