L 343/22 Official Journal of the European Union 28.11.2014 COMMISSION DECISION of 25 November 2014 on the publication of information on meetings held between Members of the Commission and organisations or self-employed individuals (2014/839/EU, Euratom) THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 249 thereof, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 106a thereof, Whereas: (1) In accordance with Article 11(1) and (2) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), the institutions must, by appro- priate means, give citizens and representative associations the opportunity to make known and publicly exchange their views in all areas of Union action. They are also required to maintain an open, transparent and regular dialogue with representative associations and civil society. Further, in accordance with Article 2 of Protocol No 2 on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, and with Article 11(3) TEU, the Commis- sion has to consult widely before proposing legislative acts. (2)  For these purposes, the Members of the Commission, and members of their Cabinets, regularly meet with organ- isations or self-employed individuals, in order to learn about the difficulties they are confronted with and to understand their views on Union policies and legislation. (3)  In accordance with Article 10(3) TEU, in order to facilitate the participation of European citizens in the demo- cratic life of the Union and to ensure that decisions are taken as openly as possible, it is important to enable citi- zens to know what contacts the Members of the Commission and members of their Cabinets have with organ- isations or self-employed individuals. (4)  Citizens already have a right of access to documents of the institutions pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (*). This Decision does not concern access to documents nor the application of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001. (5)  In line with the Political Guidelines of 15 July 2014 laid down by the President of the Commission, the Commis- sion is committed to enhancing transparency in respect of contacts with stakeholders and lobbyists. (6)  While there is no need for further measures with regard to the participation of Members of the Commission and members of their Cabinets in public events, since such information is already in the public domain, the publica- tion of information on meetings held with organisations or self-employed individuals would further enhance the transparency of the action of the Commission. (7)  The Members of the Commission should therefore make public information on meetings held by them or by members of their Cabinets with organisations or self-employed individuals on issues relating to decision-making and policy implementation in the Union. (8)  Meetings with representatives of other Union institutions or bodies, which reflect the ordinary course of interin- stitutional relations, are not covered by this Decision. Meetings with representatives of public authorities of the Member States are not covered by this Decision as those authorities pursue the general interest and contribute to the work of the Commission under the principle of sincere cooperation. In order to protect the international rela- tions of the Union, meetings with representatives of public authorities of third countries and of international organisations are not covered by this Decision. This Decision is not applicable to the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission for the meetings she holds in her capacity as High Representative. (") Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents (O] L 145, 31.5.2001, p. 43).