Rechercher des enquêtes

La plaignante a demandé l’accès à une liste complète des projets financés par l’Union européenne s’inscrivant dans le cadre du programme national d’assainissement au Maroc (ci-après le «programme»).

La Commission européenne a fourni quelques informations et documents relatifs à la contribution financière de l’Union au programme. Toutefois, la Commission a fait savoir qu’elle n’était pas en possession de la liste demandée par la plaignante.

Après enquête, la Médiatrice a confirmé que la Commission ne détenait pas la liste des projets. Le droit d’accès du public aux documents ne s’appliquant qu’aux documents détenus par l’institution, la Médiatrice a clos l’enquête en concluant à l’absence de mauvaise administration de la part de la Commission.

The case concerned Frontex’s refusal to provide public access to documents concerning expenses incurred for the years 2016-19 in relation to its annual 'European Border and Coast Guard Day'. Frontex granted the complainant only very limited access, redacting most of the content of the documents. In doing so, Frontex invoked an exception under the EU's rules on public access to documents, arguing that disclosure could undermine the commercial interests of Frontex and of the company involved in organising the events.

After an inspection of the documents at issue, the Ombudsman found that, while full disclosure was not possible under the EU public access rules, there was an overriding public interest in providing greater access to the documents. She therefore proposed to Frontex to release data on certain aspects of the events in question, namely, on the amounts spent on food and entertainment. Frontex reconsidered its position and disclosed the information requested.

The Ombudsman welcomed Frontex’s decision to accept her proposal for a solution. She closed the inquiry, reiterating that it is a matter of public trust for EU citizens to be able to question and hold the EU institutions to account in relation to the use of public funds.