Council secrecy shattered?

The Young European Federalists (JEF-Europe) issued a statement in which they welcomed the announcement of the UK Presidency that the meetings of the Council of the European Union will from now on be held in public.

The Council of the European Union brings together ministers from the 25 member states to discuss and decide major EU decisions.

In another statement, Jon Worth, president of JEF-Europe, added: "It's quite a scandal that we have had to wait until 2005. The secret meetings were an anomaly that we have long been campaigning against, but national politicians have resisted out of pragmatism.

"We have to realise that this is a major improvement of how the EU works, which everyone should support. The Council has for far too long worked behind closed doors, hidden from the scrutiny of the public. Hopefully this move will help change how people perceive the EU.

"Maybe the French and Dutch referendum results have made heads of state sit up and listen!"

Opening the Council meetings has long been one of the demands of JEF-Europe. JEF has also been demanding more powers to the European Parliament, improved accountability of the European Commission and election of the Commission President by the European Parliament.

Mr Worth added: "The European Constitution would have opened up Council meetings, but we commend the UK Presidency for putting this matter on the table now.

"It's not a question of institutions, but one of political will. But this is only a start. We need to go much further to make a real EU of the citizens."

Council meetings have so far been shrouded in secrecy. This has permitted governments to support decisions in Council, which were unpopular in their countries. But the same governments would then not refrain from criticising the EU for the same decisions so as to protect themselves against angry voters.

Hopefully, we may soon bid farewell to these double standards and the unacceptable behaviour that accompanies it. Ministers will be held politically accountable by their publics and for this reason may be constrained to behave more appropriately.