How open is 'open as possible'?: Three different approaches to transparency and openness in regulating access to EU documents

Abstract: Since the Treaty of Maastricht transparency and openness have been prominent catchwords to counter the European Union's (EU) so called 'democratic deficit'. The working paper discusses the rank and position of these principles in democratic theory and looks at their realisation at the EU level. Since the EU-bodies equal transparency and openness mainly with access to information the paper concentrates on the question, which institution is willing o provide best for access to documents. In the course of shaping a new regulation on access to documents in May 2001, the contrasting views of Commission, European Parliament and Council showed up in their respective draft proposals. The different proposals are analysed and assessed withregard to transparency and openness.;