STRASBOURG: The European Parliament in Strasbourg, France voted in favour of creating more transparency regarding the influence of third countries on European Union policy making.
Under the plans, lobbying organisations financed by non-European countries are to disclose details of their activities in registers and national lobby registers are to be linked via a central EU portal.
The plans are based on a proposal by the European Commission with the aim to establish EU-wide standards.
The proposed rules are a response to growing concerns about foreign influence on democratic processes in the EU.
The new rules are to apply to activities such as communication campaigns, conferences and meetings as well as contributions to consultations or hearings.
Activities such as official diplomatic duties, media services, legal advice and scientific research would not be affected under the plans.
The EU Parliament emphasised in a statement that lawmakers wanted to protect the work of civil society organisations. Funding from foreign countries that is not related to lobbying is therefore not considered remuneration.
EU countries are now expected to determine their joint position on the plans before they can begin final negotiations with the parliament on the details of the reform. — dpa
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