22-25 May 2014: European elections in each Member State. No results will be divulged before the end of the election process in all EU countries.

Multi-speed Europe or two-speed Europe (called also variable geometry Europe or Core Europe depending on the form it would take in practice) is the idea that different parts of the European Union should integrate at different levels and pace depending on the political situation in each individual country. Indeed, multi-speed Europe is currently a reality, with only a subset of EU countries members of the eurozone and of the Schengen area.

New entrants to the diplomatic arena represents different groupings and organisations of local, national and international interests. These divergent forces co-exist with each other and exercise different forms of diplomatic influence to achieve their objectives. These newly emerged diplomatic functions and roles can be categorized in the following manner:

According to Public Affairs Council President Doug Pinkham “public affairs is the most important function that nobody understands”. It is certainly much easier to walk into a party and introduce yourself as a ‘lobbyist’ though even that term may be rather mysterious (and often negative) to most. It is worth considering therefore what these job descriptions cover, not least within the context of ‘European Public Affairs’.

In the United States, the federal Lobbying Disclosure Act defines "lobbying activity" as "any efforts in support of such contacts, including preparation or planning activities, research and other background work that is intended, at the time of its preparation, for use in contacts and coordination with the lobbying activities of others." An individual must register as a lobbyist if they spend more than 20 percent of their time on "lobbying activity."

The Transparency Register exempts accredited diplomats, consular officials, and other recognized foreign government representatives from its requirements. Furthermore  a person engaging or agreeing to engage only in private and non-political activities in furtherance of the bona fide trade or commerce of a foreign principal is also not subject to the registration requirement.

The EU defines ‘Interest Representation' as “activities carried out with the objective of influencing the policy formulation and decision-making processes of the European institutions”. This definition does not include:

– activities concerning legal and other professional advice, in so far as they relate to the exercise of the fundamental right to a fair trial of a client, including the right of defence in administrative proceedings, such as carried out by lawyers or by any other professionals involved therein;

The EU is quick to say that 'Europe needs to listen more to its citizens to make sure that policies designed in Brussels take into account the diversity of an Union of 28 Member States with over 500 million citizens".

According to the 'Standard Barometer 80' (published in Autumn 2013), two-thirds of Europeans consider that their voice does not count in the EU (66%). The proportion of Europeans considering that their voice counts in the EU still represents less than three Europeans in ten (29%).

My Voice does NOT Count

The revised Agreement (EP + EC) concerning the Transparency Register includes a strengthening of the Code of Conduct. Here after is the 'new Code of Conduct'

The parties hereto (read EP + EC) consider that all interest representatives interacting with them, whether on a single occasion or more frequently, registered or not, should behave in conformity with this code of conduct.

In their relations with EU institutions and their Members, officials and other staff, interest representatives shall:

A new review of the Transparency Register is scheduled for 2017.

The revised Agreement (between the EP and the EC) includes a number of improvements and clarifications including: