The EIB is preparing a review of its Public Information Policy. In accordance with the Bank's Transparency Policy (http://www.eib.org/publications/eib-transparency-policy.htm), the review will include a public consultation process. The public consultation will allow the Bank's stakeholders to provide suggestions and comments on the information policy, which will be given consideration in the policy's review.

All interested parties and individuals will be invited to comment on the EIB's existing public information policy as contained in key two documents, available on the EIB website and published in October 2002:

  • Public Access to Information - Information Policy Statement, this outlines the general principles, including a commitment to make as much information available as possible, taking into account the EIB's duties as an institution and a bank. It makes reference to the EU Regulation EC/1049/2001 on public access to documents, to the extent it applies to the EIB.
  • Public Access to Information - Rules on Public Access to Documents, as revised on rules published in 1997, taking into account the spirit and limitations of EU Regulation EC/1049/2001.

Institutions, civil society organizations and individuals who have shown a particular interest in the Bank's public information policy will be informed directly.

As to the timetable, the consultative process will be launched in the first quarter of 2005. In case the EU's Regulation on the Application of the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters to EC institutions and bodies (COM(2003)622) will be approved in the first quarter of 2005, the EIB will adapt the timing to take into consideration the outcome of the proposed application of the Regulation.

Details of the revision process will be published at the launch of the consultation.

For any questions, please contact infopol@eib.org.