A high-ranking European Commission official, Gert Jan Koopman, has been accused of simultaneously managing a luxurious hotel in Bali alongside his official duties.
Gert Jan Koopman, Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations. Photo: Àngel Bravo
57-year-old Dutchman Gert Jan Koopman serves as the European Commission’s representative for enlargement and neighborhood policy, being considered one of the most important and highly paid European officials. According to the latest report, his monthly salary amounts to over 17,700 euros.
Politico has uncovered that Koopman also owns the Munduk Moding Plantation Nature Resort & Spa, which has been in the family’s possession since 2009. Journalists suspect that despite the formal transfer of ownership, Koopman is involved in the hotel’s operations and regularly visits it.
The EU’s internal commission responsible for handling potential conflicts of interest has shown no attention towards Koopman’s hotel, even though all secondary professional activities of European officials should be reported. The secondary income from such activities should not exceed 10,000 euros per month.
In response to Politico’s inquiry, the European Commission stated that Koopman’s actions did not violate any rules. The official himself claims that managing the hotel on the other side of the world does not take away from his working time, as his family is in contact with the managers.
Commenting on the situation, Michael Eger from the European Taxpayers Association says, “The highest-paid EU official must prove that he also delivers high-quality services to taxpayers and does not engage in his private hotel business during working hours.”
