"Europe opens up thanks to Lib Dem pressure" MEP

1.41.23pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 11th Jul 2006

A step towards greater openness was taken by the EU today when a debate between EU finance ministers was broadcast live on the internet. It is the first time that discussion between government ministers meeting in Brussels has been genuinely transmitted to the general public without restriction and opens a new era in transparency of EU decision-making.

West Midlands MEP Liz Lynne's Liberal Democrat group have conducted a strong political campaign since last autumn to highlight the anomaly that the Council of Ministers did not meet in public. Thanks to initial efforts by the British Presidency, pursued by the Austrians, EU Heads of Government agreed last month that all ministers should meet in public when they debate draft new laws, and that the principle of openness should be applied at other times when appropriate.

It is up to the Finnish Presidency to make this experiment in openness a success as ministers will be reviewing it again at the end of the year.

The new approach has been welcomed by Liz Lynne, who said:

"Now that the decision has been made I don't see the doors ever being closed again. The Finnish Presidency can be counted on to turn fine words into good deeds."

"It's an important step forward for Europe and for democracy. If national parliaments are to hold Ministers to account they need to know what is said in Brussels on their country's behalf."

"This is going to be quite a culture change for many Governments. It is very easy for politicians to talk of the need for openness and transparency, but a lot harder for some to accept that the principles will actually be put into practice."

"I doubt if 'Government Ministers - Live' will make great TV but the broadcast of their discussions is a step forward for European democracy."

ENDS

Note to editors:

The internet video link can be found on the website of the Council of Ministers:

http://ceuweb.belbone.be/index.php?lang=EN&sessionno=

The meeting began at 10.15 a.m. CET.