Roundtable followed by discussion

Panel: Onno Brouwer, Practising Lawyer, Michael Cashman, former MEP; Emilio di Capitani, Chairman FREE Group; Helen Darbishire, Access Info Europe; Jean-Paul Jacqué, former Legal Advisor of the Council of the EU and Sir Graham Watson, former LIBE Chairman European Parliament

Chair Deirdre Curtin | EUI

At the end of this month, on 30 May 2021, Regulation 1049/01 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents, will celebrate its twentieth birthday. As happens in all life cycles the surrounding environment has changed considerably in the intervening years, some might even say radically. The political, legal and digital context is a very different one twenty years after the Regulation was conceived, negotiated and saw the light of day. This is a timely moment to look back with a number of the key players at the time the Regulation was adopted about the particular political (European Parliament and Council ) constellations that  came together back in 2001 and at the same time explore major successes and shortcomings in its practical application since then. This includes some other institutions and agencies as well as the pivotal role of the Courts (and the Ombudsman) when challenges are brought. Moving forward, are there pathways to widening its scope across the spectrum of the EU as well as deepening it in the digital and other contemporary contexts? What is the link, if any, with more radical ideas of transparency? After the (brief) contributions by the panel members there will be ample time for a discussion with the members of the EUI community as well as other interested parties participating in the Webinar.