The Revision of Regulation 1049/2001 on Public Access to Documents

Abstract: Regulation 1049/2001 governs the fundamental right of citizens and residents of the European Union to have access to documents held by the EU institutions. Adopted at a political conjuncture favourable to transparency, it has proven itself to be an effective piece of legislation. The Commission has put forward proposals for revision of the Regulation. Some of the proposals are clearly justifiable, but others would represent a step backward for transparency, especially in the light of recent case law of the community courts. The European Parliament seems likely to put forward its own more ambitious plans in the run up to the 2009 European elections.