The "Transparency Register" set up by the European Parliament and the Commission to extend and replace the "Register of Interest Representatives" opened by the Commission in 2008 will be opened and available online 23 June.

1. Over the last few months the TNC has made great progress and it is clearly committed to building a better future for Libya based on principles of openness and tolerance.

AALEP will help to develop, manage and implement a communications and public outreach programme to support the Council in its goal to establish a new and free government in Libya.

Specifically we will assist the Council's recently appointed Brussels Representative Office in its goal to gain official recognition by all EU Member States. 

AALEP's efforts will include

- Organisation of meetings with the European Commission, the Council and the European Parliament as well as with the Permanent Representations to the European Union;

Lobbyists in the EU must develop links and build relationships with new and emerging powers such as Brazil, India, China, Turkey, Indonesia, Russia. We need to understand that a network world is emerging. Our task must be to help companies navigate the reputation and business risks in emerging markets as well as support companies in emerging countries that seek to expand into developed markets but don't understand the environment and face obstacles.

The most important areas where the Polish position is important are:

1. Budget and Regional Funds (Poland is the main beneficiary of the current multiannual budget)

2. Agriculture (Poland has the second highest number of farmers in the EU (after Romania) and has a major agricultural production, farmers are also an important social group in the country.

3. Macroeconomic policy (Poland is currently the 6th largest economy in the EU and aspires to join the Eurozone in due course.

In order to show support for the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people for a better future, AALEP Chair has extended a formal invitation to the Libyan Transitional National Council (TNC) to join our Association.

Over the last few months the TNC has made great progress and it is clearly committed to build a better future for Libya based on principles of openness and tolerance.

More than 20 years ago the former American secretary of state Henry Kissinger said that for him the EU would not exist unless it has a single telephone number he could use to call Europe.

Today 3,048 individuals are in possession of a Long-Term Badge (valid for one year) to enter the European Parliament. Together they represent 1,829 organisations(interest groups).

Lobbyists do not work on a commission, percentage, bonus, contingency or success fee basis. They work on a fixed fee per task or assignment, or on a hourly rate for time spent. Some  clients engage lobbyists on a long-term on-call basis with a monthly retainer.

As a professional society it is incumbent upon us to keep track of personnel changes taking place in the lobbying industry.

A new section entitled 'People on the Move' will report on personnel changes taking place primarily in Brussels such as new hirings, new appointments, promotions or people taking on specific assignments.

The focus will be on individuals working for consultancies, trade associations, NGOs, law firms etc.. which will provide an opportunity to follow their career path and contact them if the need arises.