“And in that context, the Commission has decided to put this proposal on the withdrawal list. Now, let me give you a couple of elements on proposal. What does that mean? That a proposal is on the withdrawal list? It means that it is the Commission's intention to withdraw the proposal. But this will depend on the reaction of the Legislators. We followed exactly the same procedure last year, where we had about 37 proposals on the list for withdrawal. Many of these proposals have effectively been withdrawn very recently, in October. Some of them have not been withdrawn. So with this proposal for withdrawal or statement of intention to withdraw, the ball is very much in the camp, I would say, of the co-legislators. That's basically the process we see as a commission. If we can't go forward, if we feel that we are being blocked, I think it's only natural that we pull the brakes and say, hey, wait a minute, what is it you co-legislators, want us to do? Where do you want to take this proposal? So the OSR out now for the proposal. I can only reiterate that as a commission. Of course, we took a decision in 23, and we have been defending the proposal and its legal basis and withstand also by the legal basis today. Thank you.”
Transparency requirements of EU institutions
“Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair. And this is absolutely correct. I'm happy to be here speaking on behalf of the commission. First, let me reiterate that indeed, we tabled the proposal in September 23rd, and we tabled the proposal with the intention, indeed, to complete the single market for associations and to address real life challenges and barriers that associations are facing in the single market. And we are not talking about a small number of associations. There are almost 4 million non-profit associations in the European Union. So that was our intention. And this is also the reason why we tabled the proposal. Um, and I refer to the many examples that have already been given by civil society. Europe. Um, the Parliament rapidly came forward with its opinion, but unfortunately, um, in the council, the file has not been progressing at all. We had about ten meetings, um, many discussions in the council, but we did not advance sufficiently. Um, there was already a reference here to problems related to the interpretation by the council on the legal basis, an interpretation that we do not share. We stand behind our proposal and its legal basis, which we find solid and justified. Let me reiterate that there were legal basis issues. There were also other concerns raised by member states justified concerns as well. By the way, uh, but we felt as a commission that, uh, for the concerns raised, we were able to formulate answers. We have also shown flexibility to be able to move forward. I have to say, however, that the last council meeting has been taking place on the 16th of May and that the Danish and the Cypriot presidency have decided not to table discussions on Egba.”
EU Single Market harmonisation · Regulation of NGOs in Europe · EU engagement with civil society