EU: Press Seminar: The European Ombudsman: 10 years, 20,000 complaints — too many?

01 November 2005

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"A more open and accountable EU administration —
the next steps for the Commission, the Parliament and the Ombudsman"

Better access to documents, a fundamental right to good administration, more transparency in recruitment ? ten years of the European Ombudsman has led to a more open and accountable EU administration. But, with the greatest proportion of inquiries addressing "lack of transparency", there is still work to do. As the institution heads into its second decade, the Ombudsman is keen to debate the next steps with the Brussels-based press corps:

What can the Ombudsman do to help you cover the activities of the EU institutions? Only a tiny percentage of complaints come from journalists ? why so few? Is there now a genuine culture of openness in the EU institutions? How can initiatives such as the European Transparency Initiative help? Do you perceive shortcomings with the existing rules on access to documents? What improvements could be made?

Where: International Press Centre, Résidence Palace, Maelbeek Room

When: 14.00-15.30 on 6 December 2005

Moderator: Aidan White, General Secretary, International Federation of Journalists

14.00-14.10: Introductory remarks by the European Ombudsman

14.10-14.50: Panel discussion

· Derk-Jan Eppink, Member of the Cabinet of Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas
· Michael Cashman, MEP and Parliament's Rapporteur on the Regulation on public access to documents
· Tony Bunyan, Director, Statewatch
· Dana Spinant, Editor, European Voice

14.50-15.30: Questions & Answers

15.30-16.00: Coffee break

There will be English-French interpretation at the seminar.

For further information, please contact: Valentina Bonaccorso, J@YS co-ordinator; Tel: +32 2 235 22 12

This press seminar will be followed by a public workshop that will discuss "Raising awareness about the right to complain - the next steps for the European Ombudsman". For further information, please visit: http://www.euro-ombudsman.eu.int/10anniversary/pdf/en/2005-12-06.pdf. To sign up for the public workshop, please contact: Rosita Agnew, Head of the Communications Sector, European Ombudsman; Tel: +32 485 933 850.

Version française

Séminaire de Presse

Le Médiateur européen : 10 années, 20 000 plaintes - est-ce trop ?

"Pour une administration européenne plus ouverte et plus responsable -

les prochaines étapes pour la Commission, le Parlement et le Médiateur"

Un meilleur accès aux documents, le droit fondamental à une bonne administration, plus de transparence en matière de recrutement - les dix années d'existence du Médiateur européen ont conduit à une administration européenne plus ouverte et plus responsable. Mais, le "manque de transparence" étant le sujet le plus traité dans les enquêtes, il reste semble-t-il beaucoup à faire. Alors que l'Institution entame sa seconde décennie, le Médiateur souhaiterait débattre des prochaines étapes avec le corps journalistique présent à Bruxelles :

Comment le Médiateur peut-il vous aider à couvrir les activités des institutions européennes ? Seul un faible pourcentage des plaintes émane de journalistes. Pourquoi si peu ? Existe-t-il à présent une authentique culture de transparence dans les institutions européennes ? Quelle aide peuvent apporter des actions telles que l'Initiative européenne de transparence ? Avez-vous relevé des défauts dans les règles d'accès aux documents existantes? Quelles améliorations pourrait-on y apporter ?

Où : Centre de Presse Internationale, Résidence Palace, Maelbeek Room

Quand : 14:00-15:30 le 6 décembre 2005

Président : Aidan White, Secrétaire général, Fédération internationale des journalistes

14:00-14:10 : Remarques introductives du Médiateur européen

14:10-14:50 : Table ronde

· Derk-Jan Eppink, Membre du Cabinet du Vice-président de la Commission Siim Kallas

· Michael Cashman, Député européen et Rapporteur pour le règlement sur l'accès du public aux documents

· Tony

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EU: Press Seminar: The European Ombudsman: 10 years, 20,000 complaints — too many?

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