API considers unacceptable that a journalist who contacted a Commission officer in order to obatin information over the follow-up of a project had been contacted via e-mail by a Spokesman asking him, in a rather intimidating way, to restrain from such initiatives in the future.

The Spokesman claimed that only the spokesman service is abilitated to treat such press queries.

API also protested against the fact that journalists did not have access to a Commission public meeting concerning the liberalisation of medicaments.

This is even less understandable given that the event was open to a consultancy not member of the Commission but very close to its positions.

The main reason given for such attitude - a lack of space - is considered by journalists as not so credible, given that in Brussels meeting rooms of all sizes are certainly not in short supply.

This sort of behaviours can only reinforce the impression that the Commission is selective in its contact to the Press.

In this respect, API has noted with interest the criticisms formulated by colleagues Jean Quatremer et Nicolas Gros-Verheydeagainst the selection of journalists that are invited to background meetings, particulalry with the president.