The Council of the European Union has initiated a written procedure for member states to approve replies to nine confirmatory applications concerning public access to documents, according to a document published on 23 July 2026. The procedure, launched following a decision by the Permanent Representatives Committee, covers applications numbered 23/c/02/26, 25/c/01/26, 26/c/02/26, 32/c/01/26, 33/c/02/26, 34/c/03/26, 35/c/01/26, 36/c/02/26, and 38/c/01/26. Member states have until noon on 28 July 2026 to submit their votes via email to the Council General Secretariat, with options to vote YES, NO, or ABSTENTION on each application individually or collectively. The outcome will be published, including the names of member states voting NO or abstaining, as well as any unilateral statements.
The written procedure aims to streamline the adoption of replies to confirmatory applications, which are second-stage requests by citizens or organisations seeking access to Council documents. By mandating public disclosure of member state positions, the process enhances transparency in Council decision-making. The nine applications cover a range of documents, though their specific subject matters are not detailed in the procedure document. The initiative follows standard Council practice for handling access-to-documents requests under Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001, which governs public access to European Parliament, Council, and Commission documents.
The procedure's impact is procedural but significant for transparency advocates. It ensures that member states' stances on access requests are recorded and made public, potentially setting a precedent for future cases. For citizens and civil society organisations, the faster adoption of replies may reduce waiting times for document access. However, the procedure does not address the substance of the applications themselves, which will be decided based on the proposed replies in accompanying documents. The Council's use of a written procedure, rather than a formal meeting, reflects an efficiency measure for routine decisions, though it limits debate among member states. The outcome, expected after the 28 July deadline, will reveal any dissenting positions and could signal member state attitudes toward transparency in specific cases.