Foreign affairs undersecretary Manlio Di Stefano, will on Wednesday present Italy's new transparency mechanism adopted by the Italian Permanent Representation to the European Union in its meetings with lobbyists, the foreign ministry said Wednesday in a statement.
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," he added.
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," Di Stefano said.
The transparency mechanism, the initiative of non-governmental organization The Good Lobby, has been welcomed by foreign minister Luigi Di Maio, by Di Stefano and by foreign ministry secretary-general Elisabetta Belloni, said the statement.
The Italian Permanent Representation to the European Union on 1 February adopted a measure that requires its senior officials only to meet lobbyists who on the transparency register of European institutions.
The Italian Permanent Representation to the EU is also required to publish on its website details of its meetings with stakeholders, the statement noted. The body represents Italy at the Council of the European Union.
