BORDER LINES: BRUSSELS - EC to draw up lobbyist code

The European Commission is to draw up a code of conduct for its officials when dealing with lobbyists and representatives of other private and public organisations. The code will in part be based on one adopted by the European Parliament and Brussels-based lobbyists. Over 90 lobbyists have signed up to the code, via two separate associations. The first, co-ordinated by Maria Laptev, division manager at Charles Barker, represents organisations including lobbying agencies, in-house public affairs teams and trade associations.