The Mediator is responsible for protecting the citizens’ interests with the EU institutions. When the Mediator receives a report, he opens an internal investigation, trying first to find an agreement, then going so far as to file an action with the Court of Justice. "The European institutions and bodies made real efforts in 2007 to solve reports, redress injustices and correct mistakes explains Diamandouros -. During the year, the number of cases settled by the institutions concerned doubled up; for the first time, 35% of the reports filed with the Mediator were settled through an out-of-court procedure with the institution in charge". And he adds: "The importance of this result for the plaintiffs and for all citizens should not be underestimated. I think we are making significant progress towards a new culture of the service". In 2007, 3,211 new reports were filed with the Mediator versus 3,830 the year before. At the same time, the number of acceptable reports, that is, reports properly filed on problems that are actually under the Mediator’s jurisdiction, has increased, reaching the number of 518, i.e. 16% of the received ones. (continued)
