Date: February 18, 2026

Dear Secretariat General of the European Commission,

Under the right of access to documents in the EU treaties, as developed in Regulation 1049/2001, I am requesting documents including but not limited to correspondence, memoranda, briefings, legal opinions, minutes, notes, emails, and any other written communications in possession of the European Commission concerning:
1. DECISION-MAKING PROCESS
1. The original invitation(s) received by President von der Leyen and/or the Commission to join or participate in the Board of Peace
2. Any formal responses sent to US authorities regarding these invitations
3. Communications regarding the status of Commission participation (member vs. observer vs. ad hoc attendance)
4. All correspondence with High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas regarding coordination on Board of Peace engagement
5. Documents concerning coordination with member states sending observers (Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Romania) or members (Hungary, Bulgaria)
6. All documents relating to the decision to send Commissioner Dubravka Šuica to the inaugural meeting of the "Board of Peace" in Washington D.C. on February 19-20, 2026
7. Internal deliberations, recommendations, and decision papers regarding EU participation in the Board of Peace
8. Any mandate, instructions, or guidelines provided to Commissioner Šuica for her participation
9. All correspondence between President von der Leyen's cabinet, the Secretariat-General, and Commissioner Šuica's cabinet regarding this matter
10. All correspondence, meetings records, and communications with the Tony Blair Institute regarding the Board of Peace or any other third parties encouraging EU Commission membership or participation in the Board

TIME PERIOD
All documents from January 1, 2026 to the present date.

LEGAL BASIS AND JUSTIFICATION
This request concerns a matter of significant public interest regarding:
• The EU's relationship with the Trump administration and transatlantic relations
• The Commission's approach to new international governance structures that may bypass or parallel the UN system
• Transparency in EU decision-making on foreign policy matters
• EU member state coordination on matters of common foreign and security policy
Public reporting indicates that the Commission has "legal concerns" about the Board's charter and governance, yet proceeded with participation. Citizens have a right to understand the legal basis and reasoning behind this decision, particularly given:
• The controversial nature of Trump's indefinite chairmanship
• The participation of Vladimir Putin while the war in Ukraine continues
• The Board's $1 billion membership fee structure
• Member state divisions on participation (with France, Italy, Sweden, Norway declining)
• Questions about compatibility with the UN Charter

APPLICABLE LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Under Regulation 1049/2001:
• Article 2(1) establishes the right of access to documents
• Article 4 provides limited exceptions which must be interpreted restrictively
• Article 4(2) concerning protection of international relations requires demonstration of actual risk of serious harm
• Article 4(3) concerning decision-making processes allows for refusal only where disclosure would seriously undermine the institution's decision-making process without serving an overriding public interest

Given that Commissioner Šuica's participation has already occurred or is occurring, any decision-making process is SUBSTANTIALLY concluded, making Article 4(3) exceptions inappropriate.

The overriding public interest in disclosure includes:

• Democratic accountability for foreign policy decisions
• Transparency regarding external lobbying influence
• Public understanding of legal concerns that were apparently overridden
• Citizen oversight of institutional positions on Trump administration initiatives

FORMAT
Please provide the documents in electronic format via email. If certain documents are voluminous, I am willing to receive them via secure electronic transfer.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Alberto Alemanno
1 rue de la Libération
78351 Jouy en Josas FRANCE

RESPONSE DEADLINE
Pursuant to Article 7 of Regulation 1049/2001, I expect a response within 15 working days of receipt of this request. Should you require an extension under Article 7(3), please inform me within this initial period.
Should you decide to refuse access to any documents, whether wholly or partially, I request that you provide a detailed explanation pursuant to Article 8(1), specifying:
• Which specific exception(s) under Article 4 you are invoking
• How disclosure would specifically undermine the protected interest
• Why no partial access is possible
• Why the public interest in disclosure does not override the exception
I reserve the right to submit a confirmatory application under Article 7(2) should I consider the initial response unsatisfactory; and a complaint to the EU Ombudsman in case of rejection or maladministration in handling this request.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Respectfully submitted,

Alberto Alemanno
1 rue de la Libération
78351 Jouy en Josas FRANCE