According to a recently revealed document(1) on the iBorderCtrl (Intelligent Portable Control System) project, which was fully funded under the Horizon 2020 programme, the project participants devised a strategy to foster the legal reforms needed for deploying iBorderCtrl at borders. With a view to creating a ‘statutory legal basis’, the consortium planned ‘dissemination activities’ i.e. activities aimed at members of legislative bodies such as Members of Parliament and the Commission.

1. Is it legal to use Horizon funds or Horizon‑funded projects to lobby members of legislative bodies for legislative changes? If so, please cite the relevant provisions.

2. Can the Commission confirm that, where Horizon‑funded projects seek to lobby members of legislative bodies for legislative changes, they are bound by the same obligations applicable to all other lobbyists, including the obligation to register on the Transparency Register in order to meet high‑level Commission officials? Have any lobby meetings between Commission officials and members of the iBorderCtrl consortium taken place at which legislative changes were discussed or proposed?

3. In relation to what other projects, if any, have Horizon funds or Horizon‑funded projects been used or are being used to lobby members of legislative bodies for legislative changes?

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