On Wednesday 4 March the Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Manlio Di Stefano will travel to Brussels to present the new transparency mechanism adopted by the Italian Permanent Representation to the European Union in its meetings with stakeholders.
It is an initiative stimulated by the non-governmental organization “The Good Lobby” and welcomed by Minister Luigi Di Maio, Undersecretary Manlio Di Stefano and Secretary-General Elisabetta Belloni.
Since 1 February, the Italian Permanent Representation to the European Union – which represents Italy’s interests at the Council of the European Union – has adopted a measure that provides, for its top management, the obligation to meet only lobbyists registered with the transparency register of the European institutions and to publish on the website of the representation the agenda of meetings with stakeholders.
“In a Europe where transparency often leaves something to be desired, Italy wants to distinguish itself” – said Undersecretary Di Stefano – “The hope is that other countries will soon be able to do the same”. Moreover, “other broader initiatives are in the making in to achieve greater transparency in the decision-making processes of the Council of the European Union”.
