MEPs are expected to agree controversial freedom of information legislation when Labour MEP for the West Midlands, Michael Cashman, reports back on negotiations on citizens' access to EU documents on Wednesday.

The parliament's committee on Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs have agreed a "mature compromise" giving public access to documents - 90 per cent of which will be placed on the internet - and an annual "openness" report.

Cashman, who has driven the proposals from the start, described the latest legislation as "the beginning of a process, not the end". The agreement, to be revisited in three years was opposed by "powerful governments" concerned about the revelation of sensitive documents.

Whilst the legislation acknowledges that a small number of exceptions may sometimes have to be made to public access it limits those to a small number and includes documents relating to defence and military matters.

The move has been controversial at a time when relations between the EU and NATO have been sensitive and some fear that the secrecy of NATO and other defence documents submitted to the commission or the council of ministers can be challenged by appeals to the European ombudsmen or in the European Court of Justice.

UK ministers should note that although the regulation will not amend existing national legislation governing freedom of information the commission warns that "member states should take care not to hamper [its] proper application".