The great objectives” “

“It is also the job of the European Ombudsman to familiarise citizens with the contents of the Constitutional Treaty, its key principles, the reforms contained in it and the great objectives that the signatory countries have assumed together. We will not abandon this task. If each plays his part, I am convinced that we will achieve a positive result, namely the ratification of the Constitution in all 25 member states and consequently its entry into force”. NIKIFOROS DIAMANDOUROS has filled the post of European Ombudsman, i.e. “civil defence counsel”, since 1st April 2003. From his office in Strasbourg, he makes – during an interview with SIR – a passionate appeal for the ratification of the Constitution, convinced that it is “a decisive step forward in the history of the EU”. At the present time various countries are involved in a campaign for the national ratification of the Constitutional Treaty, whether by parliamentary means or through a popular vote. All eyes are now focused on France, where the referendum will be held on Sunday 29 May. In your view is the debate involving citizens? “I’m optimistic about that. The process of the ratification of the Constitution in the twenty-five member states has undoubtedly given rise to lively debates and discussions on the meaning of European citizenship. The case of France is emblematic. I think it is the task of everyone, from the politicians to the mass media, to help citizens to get to know not just the contents of the Constitution, but also, and even more so, its fundamental importance as the basis for constructing an united Europe, according to the process of integration begun after the Second World War”. We are therefore at a crucial phase of Community history. But future developments will depend on whether the citizens, in France or in other countries, and the national parliaments, says “yes” or “no” to the Treaty… “Of course. As I also wrote in my ‘Annual Report for 2004’ on the activities of the Ombudsman, which I recently presented to the European Parliament, it cannot be denied that the development of the Europe of citizens has reached a decisive turning point. My hope is that the Constitution may meet with the consensus of electors and parliaments, because it is the essential guarantee for the Union’s growth. In my role as observer at the European Convention, which produced the draft of the Constitution, I strenuously campaigned for the interests of citizens to be placed at the centre of the debate. For example, the right to present complaints to the Ombudsman is an important part of the text. Moreover, I think it is of fundamental importance that the previous Charter of Fundamental Rights has been incorporated in the Constitution and now represents its second part”. Why do you think this decision so important? “Because Europe needs to be constructed on behalf of citizens, and for their well-being; and also with citizens. But citizens need to be conscious of their rights and their opportunities to defend them, also vis-à-vis the institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg. And the task of the Ombudsman consists precisely in that: defending and safeguarding the rights of individuals, associations and businesses in their relations with the EU administration. That’s why we need to commit ourselves to diffusing knowledge of these rights and the means to defend them. I have observed, in relation to the European Parliament, that to realise the potential of the Constitution a ‘pro-active’ intervention is needed, so that citizens be made aware of the new opportunities given to them. Lastly, I would emphasize the point that of the various challenges that the Ombudsman has to tackle, the first is to guarantee that the rights sanctioned by EU legislation be respected at all levels within the EU. This is the main way to bring citizens closer to the European ‘common home’ and to its institutions”. Fact File “In 2004 a total of 3,726 complaints were presented, with an increase of 53% over 2003. 51% of this increase is due to complaints from the 10 new member states”. The “Annual Report for 2004” altogether presents a positive balance sheet of the work of the European Ombudsman, one of the most recent of EU institutions (it was created ten years ago). His office is located in Strasbourg and is now headed by the Greek Nikiforos Diamandouros. The staff of the institution has risen over the last decade from 2 to 38, and is set to rise to 51 by 2005. The work of the Ombudsman has grown in an exponential manner and ever more citizens, firms and associations have recourse to the office of Diamandouros to obtain justice, or to defend their own rights in relation to the institutions of the Union (especially the Commission). “For the first time over half of the complaints were presented by electronic means – explains the Report -. In 70% of cases the Ombudsman was able to help the complainant, by starting an internal inquiry, or by forwarding the complaint to the competent organ, or by giving advice to find a rapid and effective solution to the problem raised”. ———————————————————————————————————– Sir Europa (English) N.ro assoluto : 1391 N.ro relativo : 40 Data pubblicazione : 25/05/2005