The European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, is asking European Council President Donald Tusk to consider publishing information about meetings he and his cabinet hold with interest representatives.

While such meetings are essential to his role, Ms O’Reilly has also suggested that any such meetings should only be with registered lobbyists, if they fall under the scope of the EU Transparency Register.

This would bring the European Council - which sets the EU’s overall political direction - into line with current EU standards. It would also send an important positive signal as the Commission, Parliament and Council of the EU begin negotiations on a revised EU Transparency Register.

“European citizens expect President Tusk and his team to listen to all key stakeholders on the main issues facing Europe, whether it is on migration, security or energy. However they also increasingly expect high levels of transparency from politicians and public inst