Europe severe on "small" gifts

A Chinese porcelain vase, a tapestry donated by Ukrainian President Yanukovych, a Gazprom pen… The European Commission's “gift register” looks a bit like an antique store.

This may seem ridiculous. But it is one of the obligations imposed by the code of conduct which the European Commission adopted at the end of 2004. It must be said that the stay on a yacht of a wealthy Greek shipowner by José-Manuel Barroso just before he took office had made people talk.

Any gift of more than 150 euros must therefore be declared and handed over to the protocol department. This code also limits the use of air taxis. And any private trip must be paid for on his personal kitty by the person concerned. The use of the services of a commission driver for private use is strictly supervised. And stays in a hotel are only reimbursed up to 300 euros. Finally, when a former commissioner finds a position related to his former functions within a year, he must obtain authorization from an ethics committee to verify the absence of conflict of interest.

Of course, all is not perfect. And there are still slippages. Thus the former commissioner Charlie McCreevy, cantor of free competition, found a job at Ryanair. And Industry Commissioner Günther Verheugen has set up a European lobbying firm. If both swore that they would not use their old relationships, no one really believes it...

The code of conduct is therefore in the process of being tightened. The new text specifically prohibits commissioners from traveling at government or corporate expense. In Brussels, you don't trifle with certain customs. And the French practice of the "Air Dictator" - as a European media recently called it - is viewed with a zest of commiseration.

Nicolas GROS-VERHEYDE.
Article published in Ouest-France