Meeting cabinet members Maroš Šefčovič and the Network of journalists using access to documents
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 which contain the following information:
All documents - including but not limited to correspondence, emails, minutes, notes (hand written or electronic) – regarding the meeting between Jan Hendrik Dopheide and Bernd Biervert, cabinet members of Maroš Šefčovič, and the Network of journalists using access to documents procedures on 23 May 2025, regarding access to documents.
If any parts of the documents are subject to exceptions under Regulation 1049/2001, I kindly request partial access with redactions where necessary, rather than a blanket refusal.
I prefer to receive the documents in electronic format. Please do not hesitate to contact me if further clarification is needed.
Yours faithfully,
Annick Hus
Zuerbergstraat 63
3080 Duisburg
Belgium
Dear Sir or Madam,
We hereby acknowledge the receipt of your request for access to documents
sent on 04/07/2025 and registered on 06/07/2025 under the case number
2025/3470.
We will handle your request within 15 working days as of the date of
registration. The time-limit expires on 28/07/2025. We will let you know
if we need to extend this time limit for additional 15 working days.
To find more information on how we process your personal data, please see
[1]the privacy statement.
Yours faithfully,
Secretariat-General - Access to Documents
European Commission
References
Visible links
1. https://ec.europa.eu/info/principles-and...
Dear Ms Hus,
We are writing concerning your request for access to Commission documents
registered on 06/07/2025 under case number EASE 2025/3470.
We are currently working on your request. However, we have not yet been
able to gather all the elements necessary to carry out a full analysis of
your request. We will not be able to send you the reply within the
prescribed time limit expiring on 28/07/2025.
Please note that the application concerns documents held by different
Services, which must be consulted.
Therefore, in line with Article 7(3) of [1]Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001,
we need to extend this time limit by 15 additional working days. The new
time limit expires on 19/08/2025.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Kind regards,
Access to Documents Team
European Commission
Secretariat-General
Unit A.2 (Document Management & Access to Documents)
References
Visible links
1. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
Hello,
Please find attached a message concerning your request for access to
Commission documents registered under the above case number 2025/3470.
Please acknowledge the receipt of this message by return email.
Kind regards,
Access to documents team - SG.A.2
Link: [1]File-List
Link: [2]themeData
Link: [3]colorSchemeMapping
[4]FW: Your application for access to documents - 2025/3470 -
Ares(2025)6457974 (Please use this link only if you are an Ares user –
Svp, utilisez ce lien exclusivement si vous êtes un(e) utilisateur d’Ares)
Hello,
As envisaged in the initial reply, please find attached the document to
which privileged access is granted.
Kind regards,
Access to documents team - SG.A.2 - cr
From: [5][SG request email]
<[6][email address]>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 5:10 PM
To: [7][FOI #16078 email]
Subject: Your application for access to documents - 2025/3470
Hello,
Please find attached a message concerning your request for access to
Commission documents registered under the above case number 2025/3470.
Please acknowledge the receipt of this message by return email.
Kind regards,
Access to documents team - SG.A.2
References
Visible links
1. file:///tmp/cid:filelist.xml@01DC07C6.92948C00
2. file:///tmp/~~themedata~~
3. file:///tmp/~~colorschememapping~~
4. https://webgate.ec.testa.eu/Ares/documen...
5. mailto:[SG request email]
6. mailto:[email address]
7. mailto:[FOI #16078 email]
Link: [1]File-List
Link: [2]themeData
Link: [3]colorSchemeMapping
[4]FW: Your application for access to documents - 2025/3470 -
Ares(2025)6632381 (Please use this link only if you are an Ares user –
Svp, utilisez ce lien exclusivement si vous êtes un(e) utilisateur d’Ares)
Dear Madam,
Please find a kind reminder regarding our message sent to you on7 August
2025.
Kind regards,
Access to documents team - SG.A.2 – cr
From: [5][SG request email]
<[6][email address]>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 5:10 PM
To: [7][FOI #16078 email]
Subject: Your application for access to documents - 2025/3470
Hello,
Please find attached a message concerning your request for access to
Commission documents registered under the above case number 2025/3470.
Please acknowledge the receipt of this message by return email.
Kind regards,
Access to documents team - SG.A.2
References
Visible links
1. file:///tmp/cid:filelist.xml@01DC0D3B.7D2D3AE0
2. file:///tmp/~~themedata~~
3. file:///tmp/~~colorschememapping~~
4. https://webgate.ec.testa.eu/Ares/documen...
5. mailto:[SG request email]
6. mailto:[email address]
7. mailto:[FOI #16078 email]
Dear SG ACCES DOCUMENTS,
Apologies for the delayed response and thank you for the information. I will review it as soon as possible and will get back to you if I have any further questions.
Yours sincerely,
Annick Hus
Your message has been received by the Transparency Unit of the
Secretariat-General of the European Commission.
Requests for public access to documents are treated on the basis of
[1]Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to
European Parliament, Council and Commission documents.
The Secretariat-General will reply to your request within 15 working days
upon registration of your request and will duly inform you of the
registration of the request (or of any additional information to be
provided in view of its registration and/or treatment).
L’unité «Transparence» du secrétariat général de la Commission européenne
a bien reçu votre message.
Les demandes d’accès du public aux documents sont traitées sur la base du
[2]règlement (CE) n° 1049/2001 du 30 mai 2001 relatif à l’accès du public
aux documents du Parlement européen, du Conseil et de la Commission.
Le secrétariat général répondra à votre demande dans un délai de 15 jours
ouvrables à compter de la date d’enregistrement de votre demande, et vous
informera de cet enregistrement (ou vous indiquera toute information
supplémentaire à fournir en vue de l'enregistrement et/ou du traitement de
votre demande).
Ihre Nachricht ist beim Referat „Transparenz“ des Generalsekretariats der
Europäischen Kommission eingegangen.
Anträge auf Zugang zu Dokumenten werden auf der Grundlage der
[3]Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1049/2001 vom 30. Mai 2001 über den Zugang der
Öffentlichkeit zu Dokumenten des Europäischen Parlaments, des Rates und
der Kommission behandelt.
Das Generalsekretariat beantwortet Ihre Anfrage innerhalb von
15 Arbeitstagen nach deren Registrierung und wird Sie über die
Registrierung Ihres Antrags (oder die Notwendigkeit weiterer Informationen
im Hinblick auf dessen Registrierung und/oder Bearbeitung) unterrichten.
References
Visible links
1. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
2. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
3. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
Dear Secretariat General of the European Commission,
Please pass this on to the person who reviews confirmatory applications.
I am filing the following confirmatory application with regards to my access to documents request 'Meeting cabinet members Maroš Šefčovič and the Network of journalists using access to documents'.
While I accept the redactions made for personal data, I contest the invocation of Article 4(3), second subparagraph, in relation to the protection of the decision-making process.
The response does not clearly identify which decision-making process is affected, whether it is ongoing or has been completed, or explain how disclosure of the redacted information would 'seriously undermine' the process in a concrete and foreseeable manner.
The reasoning provided is abstract and generic, referring only to 'defensive points' and possible 'restraints' in drafting. The Court of Justice has emphasised that exceptions must be interpreted strictly and justified specifically (e.g. Case C-57/16 P, ClientEarth v Commission). In this case, the alleged harm is neither substantiated nor convincingly demonstrated.
Moreover, there is an overriding public interest in disclosure. The documents concern the Commission’s approach to applying Regulation 1049/2001 itself, which is a cornerstone of transparency and accountability in the EU. Public access to information on how the Commission prepared for and reported on this meeting with journalists is vital to maintaining confidence in the EU’s transparency regime.
For these reasons, I request that the redactions under Article 4(3) be reviewed and that either fuller access be granted or a more detailed and specific justification be provided.
A full history of my request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.asktheeu.org/request/meeting...
Yours faithfully,
Annick Hus
Dear Sir or Madam,
We hereby acknowledge the receipt of your confirmatory request for case
2025/3470, sent on 25/08/2025 and registered on 25/08/2025.
We will handle your confirmatory request within 15 working days as of the
date of registration. The time-limit expires on 15/09/2025. We will let
you know if we need to extend this time limit for additional 15 working
days.
Yours faithfully,
Secretariat-General - Access to Documents
European Commission
Dear Ms Hus,
We are writing concerning your confirmatory request for access to
Commission documents for case 2025/3470 registered on 25/08/2025.
We are currently working on your confirmatory request. However, we have
not yet been able to gather all the elements necessary to carry out a full
analysis of your request. We will not be able to send you the reply within
the prescribed time limit expiring on 15/09/2025.
Please note that the necessary internal consultations are still ongoing in
view of the arguments set out in your confirmatory application.
Therefore, in line with Article 8(2) of [1]Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 we
need to extend this time limit by 15 additional working days. The new time
limit expires on 06/10/2025.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Kind regards,
Access to Documents Team
European Commission
Secretariat-General
Unit A.2 (Document Management & Access to Documents)
References
Visible links
1. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
Dear Secretariat General of the European Commission,
The statutory deadline for replying to my confirmatory application has expired today. I have not received the confirmatory decision nor any justified extension.
Pursuant to Article 8(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001, this constitutes an implied decision to refuse access.
Please confirm receipt of this message and provide your final position without delay. Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Annick Hus
Your message has been received by the Transparency Unit of the
Secretariat-General of the European Commission.
Requests for public access to documents are treated on the basis of
[1]Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to
European Parliament, Council and Commission documents.
The Secretariat-General will reply to your request within 15 working days
upon registration of your request and will duly inform you of the
registration of the request (or of any additional information to be
provided in view of its registration and/or treatment).
L’unité «Transparence» du secrétariat général de la Commission européenne
a bien reçu votre message.
Les demandes d’accès du public aux documents sont traitées sur la base du
[2]règlement (CE) n° 1049/2001 du 30 mai 2001 relatif à l’accès du public
aux documents du Parlement européen, du Conseil et de la Commission.
Le secrétariat général répondra à votre demande dans un délai de 15 jours
ouvrables à compter de la date d’enregistrement de votre demande, et vous
informera de cet enregistrement (ou vous indiquera toute information
supplémentaire à fournir en vue de l'enregistrement et/ou du traitement de
votre demande).
Ihre Nachricht ist beim Referat „Transparenz“ des Generalsekretariats der
Europäischen Kommission eingegangen.
Anträge auf Zugang zu Dokumenten werden auf der Grundlage der
[3]Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1049/2001 vom 30. Mai 2001 über den Zugang der
Öffentlichkeit zu Dokumenten des Europäischen Parlaments, des Rates und
der Kommission behandelt.
Das Generalsekretariat beantwortet Ihre Anfrage innerhalb von
15 Arbeitstagen nach deren Registrierung und wird Sie über die
Registrierung Ihres Antrags (oder die Notwendigkeit weiterer Informationen
im Hinblick auf dessen Registrierung und/oder Bearbeitung) unterrichten.
References
Visible links
1. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
2. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
3. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
[1]RE: access to documents request - Meeting cabinet members Maroš
Šefčovič and the Network of journalists using access to documents -
Ares(2025)8493955 (Please use this link only if you are an Ares user –
Svp, utilisez ce lien exclusivement si vous êtes un(e) utilisateur d’Ares)
Dear Ms Hus,
Thank you for your email.
We would like to confirm that, in view of the arguments set out in your
confirmatory application, the necessary internal consultations as to the
proposed way forward are still pending.
However, we would like to assure you that we are doing our utmost to
provide you with a reply as soon as possible.
Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience this delay may cause to
you and thank you for your understanding.
Kind regards,
Access to Documents Team
European Commission
Secretariat-General
Unit A.2 (Document Management & Access to Documents) - cr
Dear SG ACCES DOCUMENTS,
I would like to inform you that, given the absence of a confirmatory decision within the legal time limit, I have today submitted a complaint to the European Ombudsman concerning case EASE 2025/3470.
I remain open to receiving the confirmatory decision at any time and would welcome its transmission as soon as it is finalised.
Yours sincerely,
Annick Hus
[1]EASE 2025/3470 access to documents request - Meeting cabinet members
Maroš Šefčovič and the Network of journalists using access to documents -
Ares(2025)8940033 (Please use this link only if you are an Ares user –
Svp, utilisez ce lien exclusivement si vous êtes un(e) utilisateur d’Ares)
Dear Ms Hus,
Thank you for your email.
We would like to apologise again for the delay in handling your
application caused by the necessary internal consultations.
We can confirm that the decision on your confirmatory application has been
drafted and is currently subject to internal validation. The decision
should therefore be adopted and sent to you soon.
In the light of this development, we would like to invite you to
reconsider your complaint with the European Ombudsman.
Kind regards,
Access to Documents Team
European Commission
Secretariat-General
Unit A.2 (Document Management & Access to Documents)
Dear SG ACCES DOCUMENTS,
Thank you for updating me on the progress of my confirmatory application. I look forward to receiving the decision in due course.
For now, however, I would prefer to keep my complaint with the European Ombudsman open.
Yours sincerely,
Annick Hus
Your message has been received by the Transparency Unit of the
Secretariat-General of the European Commission.
Requests for public access to documents are treated on the basis of
[1]Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to
European Parliament, Council and Commission documents.
The Secretariat-General will reply to your request within 15 working days
upon registration of your request and will duly inform you of the
registration of the request (or of any additional information to be
provided in view of its registration and/or treatment).
L’unité «Transparence» du secrétariat général de la Commission européenne
a bien reçu votre message.
Les demandes d’accès du public aux documents sont traitées sur la base du
[2]règlement (CE) n° 1049/2001 du 30 mai 2001 relatif à l’accès du public
aux documents du Parlement européen, du Conseil et de la Commission.
Le secrétariat général répondra à votre demande dans un délai de 15 jours
ouvrables à compter de la date d’enregistrement de votre demande, et vous
informera de cet enregistrement (ou vous indiquera toute information
supplémentaire à fournir en vue de l'enregistrement et/ou du traitement de
votre demande).
Ihre Nachricht ist beim Referat „Transparenz“ des Generalsekretariats der
Europäischen Kommission eingegangen.
Anträge auf Zugang zu Dokumenten werden auf der Grundlage der
[3]Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1049/2001 vom 30. Mai 2001 über den Zugang der
Öffentlichkeit zu Dokumenten des Europäischen Parlaments, des Rates und
der Kommission behandelt.
Das Generalsekretariat beantwortet Ihre Anfrage innerhalb von
15 Arbeitstagen nach deren Registrierung und wird Sie über die
Registrierung Ihres Antrags (oder die Notwendigkeit weiterer Informationen
im Hinblick auf dessen Registrierung und/oder Bearbeitung) unterrichten.
References
Visible links
1. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
2. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
3. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/...
Dear HUS, Annick,
Please find attached the electronic version of European Commission
Decision C(2025) 8259 as adopted by the European Commission on 25/11/2025
concerning the request 2025/3470.
In accordance with the Terms and Conditions of this portal, please note
that this decision is being formally notified pursuant to article 297 TFEU
through this electronic platform only.
Yours sincerely,
Access to documents team - SG.A.2