As integral aspect of the right to freedom of expression, access to information plays a crucial role in fostering public trust in institutions, combating corruption and ensuring informed public debate. To discuss the implementation of European standards on access to information, representatives from related public institutions across the Western Balkans Beneficiaries gathered at the Council of Europe premises in Strasbourg for a two-day regional exchange on “Access to Information in the Context of Freedom of Expression”. 

The event underlined the importance of effective implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents (Tromsø Convention, CETS No. 205), the first binding international treaty recognising a general right of access to official documents held by public authorities. 
Discussions focused on the implementation of European standards on access to information and practical experiences on strengthening transparency, accountability and democratic governance. Council of Europe experts presented key principles of the Tromsø Convention and other relevant international and European standards, and discussed challenges related to its implementation. 
Participants also exchanged with Darian Pavli, Judge at the European Court of Human Rights, who presented most recent developments in the European Court’s case-law under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights concerning access to information and freedom of expression.
In addition, a dedicated session with the Council of Europe Access Info Group (AIG) provided participants with insights into the monitoring mechanism of the Tromsø Convention and ways to enhance compliance at domestic level. 
The second day of the event focused on practical aspects of guaranteeing the right of access to information, including the role of oversight bodies and appeal mechanisms. Discussions also explored emerging challenges related to algorithmic decision-making and artificial intelligence, and their impact on transparency and public access to information. In this context, the Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence was presented and discussed. 
The event concluded with a presentation of the Council of Europe Training Programme on  “Access to Information in the Context of Freedom of Expression”, supported by EU and Council of Europe, which aims to strengthen the capacity of public officials and other stakeholders to implement access to information standards effectively and consistently.
The regional exchange increased participants’ awareness of European standards and reinforced peer-to-peer cooperation among access to information authorities in the Western Balkans. It also provided a valuable platform for identifying practical solutions, sharing good practices and discussing institutional approaches to ensuring the effective exercise of the right of access to information.
The event was organised by the Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression, under the regional action "Protecting Freedom of Expression and of the Media in the Western Balkans (PRO-FREX)," part of the joint programme of the European Union and Council of Europe "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.