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Finnish Minister of Justice concerned about a lower level of openness in the EU

Ministry of Justice
Publication date 16.5.2012 6.00
Press release -

Minister of Justice Anna-Maja Henriksson is worried that the reform of the EU Regulation on access to documents may lead to restrictions to openness. Minister Henriksson has sent a letter concerning this to Michael Cashman, Member of the European Parliament, who is rapporteur in the on-going review of the matter in the European Parliament. The other rapporteur is Anneli Jäätteenmäki.

The current Regulation on access to documents, which entered into force in 2001, is based on the premise that all documents held by the EU institutions are in principle public. According to the Regulation, openness may be restricted only for justifiable reasons.

Securing and increasing openness in the activities of the EU has always constituted a high political priority for Finland. The negotiations concerning the reform of the Regulation have been going on since 2008. Within the Council of the EU, the majority wishes to restrict the current level of openness considerably, but the European Parliament, similarly to Finland, has proposed that openness rather be increased. Finland has emphasised the significance of openness especially when it comes to legislative issues.

Further information:
Malin Brännkärr, Special Adviser to the Minister, tel. 09 1606 7520
Päivi Leino-Sandberg, Counsellor of Legislation, tel. 09 1606 7774

Anna-Maja Henriksson
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