Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-11-18-Speech-4-012"
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"Mr President, thank you for this opportunity to address Parliament for the first time since the historic enlargement of the European Union and to present the European Ombudsman's annual report for 2003. I took up my duties as Ombudsman on 1 April 2003, following the retirement of the first Ombudsman, Mr Jacob Söderman. This report therefore covers his three final months in office, as well as my first nine months of work.
Five new own-initiative investigations were launched in 2003, including an inquiry concerning the integration of persons with disabilities, particularly as regards measures to ensure that they are not discriminated against in their relations with the Commission.
Two own-initiative inquiries were closed with positive results during the year. One of these led the Commission to change its tender procedures by allowing unsuccessful bidders time to challenge contract award decisions.
Most of these successes could not have been achieved without the active cooperation of other institutions in answering complaints rapidly, fully and correctly. The 2003 report contains many examples of the institutions taking prompt action to settle cases brought to their attention and responding positively to the Ombudsman's proposals and recommendations.
When I address Members and officials of the European Union institutions and bodies in person, as I did eight times in 2003, I am keen to underline the value of reacting promptly and constructively to complaints. I would like to think that the Ombudsman can be seen as a valuable source of information for all institutions that wish to improve the quality of their administration. The ultimate goal for all of us must be to provide the best possible service to the citizen.
Ombudsman institutions and similar bodies now exist at national level throughout the European Union, including all the new Member States. The sole exception is Italy. Cooperation with these institutions and with their regional equivalents plays a vital role in improving the service to citizens through the exchange of information and experiences, the transfer of complaints between the European, national and regional levels and the provision of information to citizens about their rights under European law and about how to exercise and defend those rights.
The network of cooperation between the European Ombudsman and national and regional Ombudsmen throughout Europe, which comprises some 90 offices in 30 countries, was strengthened and intensified in 2003 with four high-level meetings in Athens, Valencia, Warsaw and Strasbourg. Such cooperation is reinforced through regular communication initiatives by the European Ombudsman.
When I took office in April 2003, I committed myself to reaching out to citizens in every Member State, to inform them about the work of the European Ombudsman. I therefore visited many Member States in 2003 and by 1 May 2004 had visited all ten accession countries. I met national and regional Ombudsmen, high government officials and members of the judiciary and presented my work to non-governmental organisations, chambers of commerce, universities, the press and EU representatives.
The regular Eurobarometer surveys suggest that these visits are effective in promoting awareness of the European Ombudsman, which often increases after a visit. Hits on the Ombudsman's website tend to confirm this. The sharp rise in the number of complaints and, indeed, the number of admissible complaints further bears this out. These information visits are complementary to the regular press and communication activities of the European Ombudsman which, in 2003, included over 80 speeches by the Ombudsman and the staff of the institution and a press release on average every nine working days.
Given the increased workload for the institution in terms of complaint handling, communications activities and liaison with national and regional Ombudsmen in the enlarged Europe, I proposed an increase in resources for the institution in the 2005 budget. I am grateful to Parliament for having responded positively to that call, thereby allowing me to continue to serve citizens effectively.
I wish to thank the members of the Committee on Petitions for their support and constructive proposals, as set out in Mr De Rossa's report, and to put on record my appreciation of the work and positive contribution of that committee in the previous Parliament and of its then chairman, Mr Gemelli.
I would like to pay tribute to Mr Söderman for his excellent work and many achievements on behalf of European citizens, foremost of which is the establishment of the European Ombudsman as an effective, dynamic and well-respected institution, promoting openness, accountability and good administration.
Many of the issues identified in this report will have to be addressed by the institutions, including, not least, access to documents, the infringement procedure and the Ombudsman's Statute.
However, let me react to some issues that are of direct concern to me as Ombudsman. Firstly, we should not underestimate the importance of transparency in winning the trust of citizens. As the De Rossa report rightly points out, there is still room for improvement, as evidenced by the fact that the lack or refusal of information still accounts for the greatest proportion of admissible complaints to my office. Only last week, in response to a complaint from a Member of this House, I called on the Council to review its refusal to decide to meet publicly whenever it is acting in its legislative capacity. The Constitution for Europe provides for the Council to meet in public when considering and voting on a draft legislative act, but surely citizens should not have to wait until the Constitution enters into force for this basic advance in openness. I firmly believe that deliberating behind closed doors on issues that affect the daily lives of our citizens is something we cannot reasonably defend, especially now when all Member States have solemnly signed the text of the Constitution.
I was delighted to see that the De Rossa report emphasised the importance of the European Code of Good Administrative Behaviour, which elaborates on crucial elements of openness such as providing reasons for decisions and being service-minded and accessible in relations with the public. I too regret that the Code is not yet fully applied by all the institutions and bodies, but expect the incoming Commission to build upon the commitments of Mrs de Palacio and begin working promptly towards a European administrative law, as envisaged in the Constitution for Europe.
Secondly, on the Ombudsman's Statute, in order to maintain confidence in the institution, the Ombudsman must be able to investigate the complaints that citizens entrust to him as thoroughly and as rigorously as possible. During this legislature, I very much hope to have the opportunity to revisit the issue of the Statute, notably on the questions raised by the rapporteur regarding the Ombudsman's access to documents and the hearing of witnesses.
Thirdly and lastly, on enhanced cooperation with the Committee on Petitions, this is something that I am eager to develop. In direct response to the suggestion in the De Rossa report, I see only advantages in the committee becoming a fully integrated member of the European network of Ombudsmen and similar bodies. This network has proved a vital tool in terms of effective complaint handling and exchange of best practice. We will continue to strengthen the network, with the ultimate aim of ensuring that the rights provided for under EU law become a daily reality for citizens. I would therefore be delighted if the committee were to become fully engaged in this initiative. With Parliament's agreement, I will see to it that my office makes the practical arrangements to implement this proposal in the very near future.
Next year the European Ombudsman will be celebrating its first ten years of existence. It is my sincere belief that the relationships of goodwill, trust and understanding that have been built up over this period provide an excellent basis for further improving the quality of administration, to the benefit of citizens. The European Parliament and its Committee on Petitions are vital partners for the European Ombudsman in this regard. I look forward to ever stronger cooperation between our institutions in the future and I thank you very much for your attention.
I would also like to pay tribute to the outgoing Commission for all its constructive work for citizens during its term of office and in particular to thank Vice-President Loyola de Palacio for her collaboration and support. I look forward to working with Vice-President-designate Margot Wallström, whom I hope to be meeting soon in her new role.
The annual report for 2003 records the progress made by the institution of the European Ombudsman in handling complaints, promoting good administration and making itself better known to citizens, including, not least, the efforts to prepare the institution for enlargement and equip it to reach out to citizens in 25 Member States in the 21 Treaty languages.
In 2003, the total number of complaints received by the European Ombudsman was 2 436, representing a 10% increase on the previous year. In almost 70% of cases handled during 2003, help was provided to the complainant by opening an inquiry into the case, transferring it to a competent body or giving concrete advice on where to turn for prompt and effective action.
As I already indicated when appearing before the Committee on Petitions in April this year, the upward trend in complaints is continuing. In the first 10 months of 2004, there has been an unprecedented 54% rise as compared to the same period last year. I am confident that this does not reflect worsening administrative behaviour by European institutions, but rather an increased awareness by citizens of how to exercise their rights.
With the support and encouragement of Members of this House, we have made strenuous efforts in recent years to raise awareness among citizens of their right to complain. I am convinced that these efforts have contributed to the increased use that is being made of our services and was heartened to see that Mr De Rossa's excellent report acknowledges these endeavours.
In 2003, 180 decisions closing cases following inquiries were made. In 47% of cases, the inquiry revealed no maladministration. Such a finding is not always negative for the complainant, who at least has the benefit of an explanation from the institutional body concerned. In 28% of cases, the inquiry resulted either in the institution concerned settling the case to the full satisfaction of the complainant, or in a friendly solution. When a friendly solution was not possible, the case was closed with a critical remark or a draft recommendation was made.
Nine new draft recommendations were made during 2003, including one that led the Council to come into line with Parliament and the Commission by giving candidates in recruitment competitions access to their own marked examination scripts. If an institutional body fails to cooperate, I can put the matter before this House in a special report. I am happy to state that I saw no need to make such a special report concerning any of the cases closed during 2003."@en1
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