The time the European Commission takes to deal with requests for public access to documents

Tabled by Cristian Terheş

Added: 4a. Recalls with great concern that, in 2021, following a request for public access to text messages between Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the CEO of a pharmaceutical company regarding the Commission’s purchase of COVID-19 vaccines, the Commission refused to acknowledge that such text messages fall within the definition of a ‘document’ under Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001; recalls that the registration of a document is a consequence of, not a prerequisite for, that document’s existence; takes note of the Ombudsman’s finding of maladministration by the Commission in this case; is concerned by the fact that the Commission has failed to follow up on the Ombudsman’s recommendation following her inquiry to conduct another search for relevant text messages; calls on the Commission to conduct a full search without delay; expresses deep concern about the growing distance between citizens and the EU institutions, which this situation has worsened;

Wording as published by the EP, in English. PE758.046