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.

The second association, the Society of European Affairs Practitioners,

is co-ordinated by Catherine Stewart, founder of lobbying agency Cabinet

Stewart, and represents individuals working in public affairs.