Ombudsman
publishes ethical principles for EU
officials
The European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos
Diamandouros, has published
a set of "public service principles" that should guide the conduct of EU civil
servants. The principles take account of best practice in the Member States and
were established through an initial consultation with the European Network of
Ombudsmen. The Ombudsman also carried out a public consultation on a first draft
of the principles. The responses to the consultation from citizens, civil
servants, interest groups, EU institutions and other organisations were of great
value in finalising the principles.
Mr
Diamandouros commented: "The public service principles embody fundamental
ethical standards. As such, they constitute a vital component of the
administrative culture of service to which the EU institutions adhere. At a time
when the European Union is facing a severe crisis, the principles can help to
build greater trust between citizens and the EU institutions."
The five public service
principles:
1.
Commitment to the European Union and its
citizens
Civil servants
should be conscious that the Union’s institutions exist in order to serve the
interests of the Union and of its citizens in
fulfilling the objectives of the Treaties.
They should
make recommendations and decisions only to serve these
interests.
Civil servants
should carry out their functions to the best of their abilities and strive to
meet the highest professional standards at all
times.
They should be
mindful of their position of public trust and set a good example to
others.
2.
Integrity
Civil servants
should be guided by a sense of propriety and conduct themselves at all times in
a manner that would bear the closest public scrutiny. This obligation is not
fully discharged merely by acting within the law.
Civil servants
should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation that might
influence them in the performance of their functions, including by the receipt
of gifts. They should promptly declare any private interests relating to their
functions.
Civil servants
should take steps to avoid conflicts of interest and the appearance of such
conflicts. They should take swift action to resolve any conflict that arises.
This obligation continues after leaving office.
3.
Objectivity
Civil servants
should be impartial, open-minded, guided by evidence, and willing to hear
different viewpoints. They should be ready to acknowledge and correct
mistakes.
In procedures
involving comparative evaluations, civil servants should base recommendations
and decisions only on merit and any other factors expressly prescribed by
law.
Civil servants
should not discriminate or allow the fact that they like, or dislike, a
particular person to influence their professional
conduct.
4. Respect for
others
Civil servants
should act respectfully to each other and to citizens. They should be polite,
helpful, timely and co-operative.
They should
make genuine efforts to understand what others are saying and express themselves
clearly, using plain language.
5.
Transparency
Civil servants
should be willing to explain their activities and to give reasons for their
actions.
They should
keep proper records and welcome public scrutiny of their conduct, including
their compliance with these public service principles.
The public
service principles are available in the 23 EU languages at: www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/resources/publicserviceprinciples.faces
The European Ombudsman
investigates complaints about maladministration in the EU institutions and
bodies. Any EU citizen, resident, or an enterprise or association in a
Member
State
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