In 2001 the European Parliament and the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No. 1049/2001 regarding public access to the documents of the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission. The Regulation defines basic principles and procedures for accessing the documents hold by the European institutions. The Regulation establishes basic rules for application for accessing public documents, as well as categories of information restricted for public access (exceptions and treatment of sensitive documents). The Regulation also defines the rules and procedures for application for access to document, processing of confirmatory applications and access following the application. According to the Regulation, each European institution must publish relevant annual reports including the number of cases in which the institution refused to grant access to documents and the reasons for such refusals.

Analysis provided by David Sandukhchyan, Director, Internews Armenia Center for Information Law and Policy, OSCE/ODIHR consultant.