Ref. Ares(2021)3814769 - 10/06/2021
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR ENERGY
Directorate C - Green Transition and Energy System Integration
C.3 - Internal Energy Market
Brussels, 10/06/2021
ENER/C3/EL/el D(2021)3957726
Vivek Parekh
40 Bermondsey Street
London
by email: ask+request-9215-
xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx
Subject:
Your application for access to documents – Ref. GestDem 2021/1669
Dear Mr Parekh,
We refer to your access to document requests sent on 18 March 2021, and registered
under the above-mentioned reference numbers, in which you made requests for access to
documents under Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001.
You request to access:
“All documentation (including but not limited to all email correspondence, attendance
lists, agendas, background papers, transcripts, recordings and minutes/notes) relating to
the meetings listed below:
1) Between GRTgaz and Stefano Grassi, Cabinet member of Kadri Simson, Laure
Chapuis-Kombos, Cabinet member of Kadri Simson, and Kadri Simson,
Commissioner on 10th July 2020.
2) Between GRTgaz and Dominique Ristori, Director-General on 9th July 2019.
3) Between GRTgaz and Dominique Ristori, Director-General on 26th March 2018.”
Following a thorough research and examination of the documents requested under the
provisions of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 regarding public access to documents, we
have identified 1 document corresponding to your request. It is a briefing prepared for Mr
Dominique Ristori for the meeting with GRTGaz that took place on 26th March 2018,
registered as Ares(2019)1675701.
Commission européenne/Europese Commissie, 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIQUE/BELGIË - Tel. +32 22991111
Office: DM24 06/112 - Tel. direct line +32 229-68269
In relation to point 1 and 2 of your request, we regret to inform you that despite our
thorough search, no documents were found that would correspond to the description
given in your application.
Indeed, as specified in Article 2(3) of Regulation 1049/2001, the right of access as
defined in that regulation applies only to existing documents in the possession of the
institution.
Concerning the identified document, I am glad to inform you that following an
examination under the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 regarding public
access to documents, the document can be disclosed, subject to the redaction of personal
data.
In this respect, some parts of the document have been blanked out as its disclosure is
prevented by exceptions to the right of access laid down in Article 4 paragraph 1 (b) of
Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 because they contain the personal data.
Pursuant to Article 4(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001, access to a document has
to be refused if its disclosure would undermine the protection of privacy and the integrity
of the individual, in particular in accordance with European Union legislation regarding
the protection of personal data.
Article 9(1)(b) of the Data Protection Regulation1 does not allow the transmission of
these personal data, except if you prove that it is necessary to have the data transmitted to
you for a specific purpose in the public interest and where there is no reason to assume
that the legitimate interests of the data subject might be prejudiced. In your request, you
do not express any particular interest to have access to these personal data nor do you put
forward any arguments to establish the necessity to have the data transmitted for a
specific purpose in the public interest.
Consequently, I conclude that, pursuant to Article 4(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No
1049/2001, access cannot be granted to the personal data contained in the requested
document, with exception for names of main representatives of public entities, as the
need to obtain access thereto for a purpose in the public interest has not been
substantiated and there is no reason to think that the legitimate interests of the individuals
concerned would not be prejudiced by disclosure of the personal data concerned.
Please find enclosed the redacted copy of the document in question.
In case you would disagree with this assessment, you are entitled, in accordance with
Article 7(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001, to submit a confirmatory application
requesting the Commission to review this position.
Such a confirmatory application should be addressed within 15 working days upon
receipt of this letter to the Secretariat-General of the Commission at the following
address:
1 Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the
protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions,
bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No
45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC, OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39.
2
European Commission
Secretariat-General
Unit C.1. ‘Transparency, Document Management and Access to Documents’
BERL 7/076
B-1049 Brussels
or by email to:
xxxxxxxxxx@xx.xxxxxx.xx
Yours sincerely,
(e-signed) Oliver Koch
Acting Head of Unit
Enclosures:
1
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Electronically signed on 10/06/2021 13:03 (UTC+02) in accordance with article 11 of Commission Decision C(2020) 4482
