Newscut from EUobserver’s article:

“It is an important step towards more transparency in European legislation,” said Ingo Friedrich, the German centre-right MEP, in charge of the dossier in the parliament.

However, the measures have been criticised by some MEPs, particularly from the Green group, as they fall short of strict financial disclosure, with the details to be thrashed out later.

In addition, they voted to exempt lawyers from the measures.

“Lawyers are exempted from the scope of rules, which, given all available evidence is absurd,” said Italian Green MEP Monica Frassoni. “Lawyers play an increasingly important role in influencing policy in Brussels and they promote themselves as such on their own websites,” she added.

The measures are hoped to be in place for the European Parliament in time for the European elections next year in June. They would update the minimal register that has been in place in the parliament since 1996.