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:

1. Boost growth and jobs through an Investment Package focused on energy and broadband networks, transport infrastructure, education, research and innovation
2. Introduce a digital single market package, including a proposal to modernise copyright rules
3. Establish a new Energy Union based on diversity, affordability and efficiency of energy sources, and make Europe the leader in renewable energy
4. Exploit the full potential of the internal market in products and services, bringing the industrial sector back to 20% of EU GDP by 2020

The legislative process begins when someone believes that a new law is needed or that an old law should be changed. Lobbyists representing say a given association are responsible for making lawmakers aware of how a bill will impact the industry. In addition to the role of introducing proactive legislation to help their industry, lobbyists play defence by reading each bill that is introduced, writing a summary of the bill and sending that summary to key member companies asking them to assess the potential impact the proposed legislation would have on their operations.

Industry Lobby Groups

• European Federation of Energy Traders (EFET)
• European Petroleum Industry Association (EUROPIA)
• European Association for Environment, Health and Safety in Refining and Distribution
• Shale Gas Europe (Launched in 2012, this platform is bringing together industry, experts and academics to collect, share and communicate the interesting science and technology involved in shale gas exploration)
• International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (OGP)

Energy Companies

EU projects are usually structured as a collaboration between a group of partners who share tasks and responsibilities. This means that finding the right partners and setting up the collaboration or Consortium is a key preparatory task. Partners need to be complementary to each other, but they must share an interest in the common problem that they are going to tackle in the project . Moreover, the Consortium has to establish management structures and procedures adapted to the type and the complexity of the project. This will also be an important criterion in the evaluation of proposals.