Brussels, 22/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - With the adoption, on Tuesday 22 April in Strasbourg, of the report by Anneli Jäätteenmäki (ALDE, Finland) on the statute of the European Ombudsman, the Parliament amended certain provisions governing access by the Ombudsman to information held by EU bodies and evidence given to him by EU civil servants.
Nikiforos Diamandouros, Ombudsman, had set out his recommended amendments in a letter addressed in July 2006 to the president of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering. The EP supports this initiative aimed at removing all uncertainty regarding the Ombudsman's ability to carry out detailed and impartial investigations in alleged cases of bad administration.
Confidential documents. MEPs suggest simplifying provisions to make it an obligation for all EU bodies and institutions to communicate to the Ombudsman all information requested by the latter. An amendment does away with the current reservation allowing information not to be disclosed for reasons of confidentiality which, according to the House, could be interpreted by citizens as restriction of the Ombudsman's right to procure information. Also, new rules are foreseen on the processing of information in the confidential category obtained by the Ombudsman.
Evidence given by EU officials. The Parliament also wishes to amend the rule on testimony from EU officials. It deletes a provision whereby Community officials must testify “in accordance with the instructions from their administrations”. Here again, MEPs said the wording might mislead citizens into thinking that officials are not always required to tell the truth. Council approval is required for these changes to take effect. (L.C.)