<base href="http://t3urednik.sigov.si/varuh-rs/typo3/" />

European Ombudsman, European Union

SEMINAR FOR NATIONAL OMBUDSMEN AND SIMILAR BODIES OF THE UNION
“Ombudsmen, the Treaty of Amsterdam and European Integration”
Paris, 9-10 September 1999

The entering into force of the Amsterdam Treaty was an opportunity for the national Ombudsmen and similar bodies of the European Union to meet for the second time (the first meeting was held in Strasbourg in 1996). The aim of these meetings is to strengthen the links between the national Ombudsmen and similar bodies thus enabling them to provide a better service to the citizens in Europe.

The seminar was jointly organised by Mr Jacob Söderman, the European Ombudsman, and by Mr Bernard Stasi, the French Ombudsman. All 15 Member States were represented as well as members of the European Institutions. The total number of participants was 56.

The purpose of the seminar was to consider the impact for the work of national ombudsmen and similar bodies of the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty and, more generally, of the ongoing European integration process. The Treaty of Amsterdam foresees the development of the Union as an area of freedom, security and justice, as well as enhanced co-operation between the national administrations which are responsible for the implementation of Community law and policies in numerous fields.

The seminar had four working sessions : 1) Human Rights and the EU ; 2) Principles of Good Community Administration ; 3) Rights of Third-Country Nationals ; 4) Free Movement of EU Citizens. Each session was introduced by an expert Rapporteur. Each participating delegation had also been invited to prepare in advance a written contribution on two or more of the four themes. During the seminar, most of the reports were available in French and in English. Simultaneous interpretation in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian were provided to the participants.

During the seminar, two declarations were adopted unanimously by the national Ombudsmen and similar bodies of the EU : the first declaration was taken on the initiative of the Portuguese Ombudsman, Mr José Pimentel. In the light of the dramatic events which were occurring in Eastern Timor, it supports the efforts of the EU Governments to stop the breach on the Human Rights in the region. The second declaration reminds the EU Governments of the content of Resolution 85/13 of the Council of Europe concerning the links between the Institution of the Ombudsman and the protection of Human Rights. It was proposed by the Belgian Federal Ombusman, Mr P-Y Monette.

An Official Press Conference was organised by the Information Office of the European Parliament in Paris. The Conference gave Mr Söderman and Mr Stasi the opportunity to remind of the importance they attach to Human Rights and to the co-operation between the national Ombudsmen.

The Ombudsmen and similar bodies of the Union will meet again in Brussels in 2001.

European Ombudsman, European Union

SEMINAR FOR NATIONAL OMBUDSMEN AND SIMILAR BODIES OF THE UNION
“Ombudsmen, the Treaty of Amsterdam and European Integration”
Paris, 9-10 September 1999

The entering into force of the Amsterdam Treaty was an opportunity for the national Ombudsmen and similar bodies of the European Union to meet for the second time (the first meeting was held in Strasbourg in 1996). The aim of these meetings is to strengthen the links between the national Ombudsmen and similar bodies thus enabling them to provide a better service to the citizens in Europe.

The seminar was jointly organised by Mr Jacob Söderman, the European Ombudsman, and by Mr Bernard Stasi, the French Ombudsman. All 15 Member States were represented as well as members of the European Institutions. The total number of participants was 56.

The purpose of the seminar was to consider the impact for the work of national ombudsmen and similar bodies of the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty and, more generally, of the ongoing European integration process. The Treaty of Amsterdam foresees the development of the Union as an area of freedom, security and justice, as well as enhanced co-operation between the national administrations which are responsible for the implementation of Community law and policies in numerous fields.

The seminar had four working sessions : 1) Human Rights and the EU ; 2) Principles of Good Community Administration ; 3) Rights of Third-Country Nationals ; 4) Free Movement of EU Citizens. Each session was introduced by an expert Rapporteur. Each participating delegation had also been invited to prepare in advance a written contribution on two or more of the four themes. During the seminar, most of the reports were available in French and in English. Simultaneous interpretation in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian were provided to the participants.

During the seminar, two declarations were adopted unanimously by the national Ombudsmen and similar bodies of the EU : the first declaration was taken on the initiative of the Portuguese Ombudsman, Mr José Pimentel. In the light of the dramatic events which were occurring in Eastern Timor, it supports the efforts of the EU Governments to stop the breach on the Human Rights in the region. The second declaration reminds the EU Governments of the content of Resolution 85/13 of the Council of Europe concerning the links between the Institution of the Ombudsman and the protection of Human Rights. It was proposed by the Belgian Federal Ombusman, Mr P-Y Monette.

An Official Press Conference was organised by the Information Office of the European Parliament in Paris. The Conference gave Mr Söderman and Mr Stasi the opportunity to remind of the importance they attach to Human Rights and to the co-operation between the national Ombudsmen.

The Ombudsmen and similar bodies of the Union will meet again in Brussels in 2001.