By far the most common allegation examined by the European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, in 2008 was lack of transparency in the EU administration (36% of inquiries). This included the refusal of information or documents. Other types of alleged maladministration concerned late payments for EU projects, unfairness, abuse of power and discrimination.
At the presentation of his Annual Report 2008 in Brussels, Mr Diamandouros said: "An accountable and transparent EU administration is key to building citizens' trust in the EU. I therefore call on the European Commission to amend its proposals to reform the legislation on public access to documents in order to give the widest possible access to citizens and other stakeholders."
In 2008, the Ombudsman received 3,406 complaints from EU citizens, companies, NGOs and associations. In almost 80% of cases, the Ombudsman was able to help the complainant by opening an inquiry into the case, transferring it to a competent body, or giving advice on where to turn. The Ombudsman closed a record number of inquiries in 2008 (355 inquiries). In total, he handled over 7,700 complaints and information requests. After his intervention, the EU administration settled bills, paid interest, released documents, remedied injustices and put an end to discrimination.
The Ombudsman noted an increasing number of complaints from companies, associations, NGOs, regional offices and other organisations in 2008 (26% of inquiries were based on this type of complaints). Mr Diamandouros commented: "I am working hard to reach out to stakeholders who are in contact with the EU administration, for example, in the framework of EU projects. I am happy to see that they increasingly use my services to help solve problems they encounter."
Most of the inquiries in 2008 concerned the European Commission (66%), followed by the European Parliament, the European Personnel Selection Office, the Council and OLAF.
Germany produced the greatest number of complaints (16%), followed by Spain (10%), Poland (8%) and France (7%). But relative to the size of their population, most complaints came from Malta, Luxembourg, Cyprus and Belgium.
The Ombudsman was pleased to note that 36% of all investigations either were settled by the institution complained against or were the result of a friendly solution. In 44 cases, the Ombudsman issued a critical remark. One special report was sent to the European Parliament concerning age discrimination in the Commission.
At the presentation of his Annual Report 2008 in Brussels, Mr Diamandouros said: "An accountable and transparent EU administration is key to building citizens' trust in the EU. I therefore call on the European Commission to amend its proposals to reform the legislation on public access to documents in order to give the widest possible access to citizens and other stakeholders."
In 2008, the Ombudsman received 3,406 complaints from EU citizens, companies, NGOs and associations. In almost 80% of cases, the Ombudsman was able to help the complainant by opening an inquiry into the case, transferring it to a competent body, or giving advice on where to turn. The Ombudsman closed a record number of inquiries in 2008 (355 inquiries). In total, he handled over 7,700 complaints and information requests. After his intervention, the EU administration settled bills, paid interest, released documents, remedied injustices and put an end to discrimination.
The Ombudsman noted an increasing number of complaints from companies, associations, NGOs, regional offices and other organisations in 2008 (26% of inquiries were based on this type of complaints). Mr Diamandouros commented: "I am working hard to reach out to stakeholders who are in contact with the EU administration, for example, in the framework of EU projects. I am happy to see that they increasingly use my services to help solve problems they encounter."
Most of the inquiries in 2008 concerned the European Commission (66%), followed by the European Parliament, the European Personnel Selection Office, the Council and OLAF.
Germany produced the greatest number of complaints (16%), followed by Spain (10%), Poland (8%) and France (7%). But relative to the size of their population, most complaints came from Malta, Luxembourg, Cyprus and Belgium.
The Ombudsman was pleased to note that 36% of all investigations either were settled by the institution complained against or were the result of a friendly solution. In 44 cases, the Ombudsman issued a critical remark. One special report was sent to the European Parliament concerning age discrimination in the Commission.
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