On December 17, 1998, Slovene ombudsman met with the Deputy Minister of Foreing Affairs of the Czech Republic Mr. Martin Palouš and the Ambassador of the Czech Republic in Slovenia Mrs. Jana Hybaškova.

Mr. Bizjak presented to Mr. Palouš the work and competences of the ombudsman in Slovenia and estimated that the state authorities to a great extent take in consideration the suggestions, recommendations and opinions of the ombudsman. But there are more problems with some systemic problems, like unreasonable long court procedures, stressed Mr. Bizjak.

Mr. Palouš was especially interested in the relation between the institution of the ombudsman to all the three branches of power and the non-governmental organisations, which are working on the field of human rights protection and promotion. Both agreed that for the work of the ombudsman the independence and impartiality are very important and the good cooperation with the NGO’s very useful. Deputy Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic also stressed that it is also very important to establish an adequate level of public discussion concerning the human rights questions and mentioned that in such process the ombudsman could play, as an initiator of the public discussion, very important role.