Transparency has a broad and narrow meaning. A broader definition of transparency implies openness, communication and accountability, which are not precise enough to apply to concrete cases. Transparency does not only concern the availability of information but also requires that it be clear and understandable. This last point distinguishes "transparency" from "openness". Furthermore, transparency has a dimension that concerns access to documents. It is part of freedom of expression in the sense that people have the right to receive information. Therefore, the right to access information is recognized as a human right. The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (hereinafter EU Charter) recognizes access to documents as a fundamental right. This right is both a fundamental right of individuals and an institutional principle. “ Article 8 of the Charter codifies the right of access to personal data, Article 41(2) gives parties to administrative proceedings the right of access to the file and Article 42 codifies it as regards documents of the institutions of the Union. On the other hand, the right to access information is not an absolute right. However, the exceptions should be interpreted narrowly so as not to undermine the purpose of the right. Transparency is believed to increase the legitimacy of EU institutions as well as the trust that EU citizens place in them. Transparency provides greater legitimacy and accountability to the administration in a democratic system because citizens are given the opportunity to understand the considerations underlying EU regulations in order to exercise their democratic rights. The Treaty of Amsterdam established these principles. Article 255 TEC provided the legal basis to regulate the public's right of access to the EU d...... middle of paper ......the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by community institutions and bodies and on the free circulation of such data. The High Representative will decide how to implement the EEAS”. However, “the right to protection of personal data is not an absolute right, but must be considered in relation to its function in society”, as stated by the High Representative. Schecke and Eifert Court. Therefore, Article 8(2) of the Charter authorizes the processing of personal data provided that the conditions are met. Furthermore, Article 52(1) of the Charter provides for the possibility of limiting the rights established by the Charter if the conditions are met. The last but not least provision is Article 52(3) of the Charter, which gives the rights enshrined in the Charter the same meaning and scope as the European Convention on Human Rights.