‘They decide the fate of the country, but do not reveal contacts with lobbyists’

Published on 15 October 2013 at 09:00

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European Commission staff, currently preparing a report on how to stabilise the country’s fragile economy and recapitalise its banks, have too much access to confidential government economic data with insufficient oversight, reports Dnevnik.

The Commission will present its final report in mid-November on how to save the struggling financial sector, which some analysts estimate may need up to €5bn in capital.

However, the newspaper complains that despite access to highly sensitive data, European civil servants are not obliged to report contact with lobbyists, who may seek to influence EU guidance. The newspaper adds –

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Some of EU officials could have private conversations with actual or potential buyers of Slovenian bonds. Lack of transparency not only increases the cost of borrowing, but also the risk of corruption.

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