EU Trade Policy Commitments 2014-2019 

Public Relations Media Consultants offer advice to individuals and organizations that are looking for help in promoting and maintaining their public image when dealing with the media. Duties may encompass a wide range of responsibilities including:

Reporters want newsworthy stories. Generally, this means that they are looking for controversy. Lobbyists and politicians on the other hand generally are trying to build consensus. Controversy and consensus work against one-another. The best way to manage the opposing forces is to build relationships with reporters and share with them the stories you can in plain terms. You need to find the right reporters for the right stories. Contact different media outlets that you think would be useful and find out who the best reporter is for your issue.

1. The Brussels press corps is not the largest in the world . London, with over 1700 correspondents, dwarfs Brussels. Washington D.C is substantially bigger and Paris roughly the same size.
2. They were  934 accredited journalists in Brussels (as of October 2014). In addition to these 934 journalists, they were 145 accredited technicians, 124 cameramen, 40 producers and 34 photographers.
3. Almost half of accredited EU journalists – 46% – work alone. Only 27% of reporters work in an office with more than 10 people.

The term “Strategic Communications” means infusing communications efforts with an agenda and a master plan e.g. for advocating particular legislation. The most important aspect of Strategic Communications is following the master plan to achieve the outlined goals for a company/client. It is essential to intensively think about all tactics and strategies necessary for the goals to be actualized. The master plan serves as a "road map" to getting the best results for whatever is the desired outcome.

Edward Lucas, Energy Editor, The Economist: Edward Lucas is an expert on energy security and on Russian foreign and security policy. He is the Central and Eastern European corre- spondent for The Economist and is deputy editor of the International section.

Trading in influence is a form of corruption which is difficult to capture and understand. By trading in influence, or influence peddling referral is being made to: the situation where a person misuses his/her influence over the decision-making process for a third party (person, institution or government) in return for his loyalty, money or any other material or immaterial undue advantage.

In the United States "Contingency fees" are often paid to lawyers. If a lawyer and client agree to do business on a contingency basis, the client pays no fees until the case is won, and at that time the lawyer gets a cut of the damages won. If the case is lost, the attorney receives no payment.

ALTER-EU has just published a guide to transparency and ethics for MEPs “Navigating the lobby labyrinth: A guide to transparency and ethics for MEPs.

The views and opinions expressed here below are those of ALTER-EU and do not necessarily reflect the views of AALEP. The original text has been edited to solely concentrate on the issues being raised and keeping a neutral tone.

1. Complying fully with the current Code of Conduct for MEPs

AALEP comprehensive Sponsorship Programme provides unique opportunities for your company: