ALDE group backs ombudsman in his battle for transparency

The European ombudsman, Nikiforos Diamandouros, this morning presented his 2007 annual activity report and pointed out an increase in complaints directed at the European institutions, including the European parliament.

Last week in plenary the parliament refused to vote a report on revisions to the ombudsman's statute which would have improved his access to confidential documents, including those relating to members' expenses under standard rules of confidentiality. ALDE shares the disappointment of the ombudsman in this regard.

"This annual report demonstrates once again the key role of the ombudsman and how important it is to strengthen his statute in order that he enjoys a greater degree of independence in the pursuit of his internal enquiries involving the European institutions," commented Anneli Jäätteenmäki (Centre party, Finland).

Her report on the ombudsman's statute was taken off last week's plenary agenda and will be retabled next week in Strasbourg, following political manoeuvrings from EPP and PSE groups.

"My report provides for access, under certain conditions, to classified documents for the ombudsman in the conduct of his investigations. If the two largest political groups oppose enhanced transparency arrangements it must be because they have something to hide", she added.

"In any case, the provisions of the charter of fundamental rights (especially articles 41 and 43), once in force, will grant additional rights to citizens for good administration at European level and to the ombudsman as guarantor of these rights," she concluded.