Commissioner Oettinger's journey to Budapest: Oettinger's meetings

30.11.2016

Question for written answer E-008958-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Benedek Jávor (Verts/ALE)

Günther Oettinger travelled to Budapest on 18 May 2016 on the private jet of an unregistered lobbyist, Klaus Mangold, to attend a conference on digital cars. The meeting and the journey with Mr Mangold were not published in his calendar. According to the Commission’s spokesperson, Margaritis Schinas, Mr Mangold is not involved in digital issues, so it was not a lobby meeting. The Hungarian Government claims that Mr Mangold was asked to help organise the conference on digital cars, which indicates his involvement in Mr Oettinger’s portfolio.

— Could you specify how the statement by Margaritis Schinas is in line with Article 1 of the Commission decision of 25 November 2014 on the publication of information on meetings held between Directors-General of the Commission and organisations or self-employed individuals (C(2014) 9048)?— How does Mr Oettinger choose his travel companions who do not work in his area?