Strasbourg, 21 June 2012

Communication from the Commission on relations with complainants in respect of the application of EU law

Dear Mrs Day,

I was recently informed that the Commission has decided to replace its Communication to the European Parliament and the European Ombudsman on relations with complainants in respect of infringement of Community law (COM(2002)141 final) by a new Communication that is addressed to the Council and the European Parliament (COM(2012) 154 final).

I note that, whereas the 2002 Communication was addressed to the European Parliament and the European Ombudsman, the replacement makes no mention of the Ombudsman in its title. I understand from your services that this was an error rather than a conscious decision by the Commission.

I would be grateful, therefore, if the Commission could revise the Communication so as to include the Ombudsman among the addressees before it is published in the Official Journal. It would, of course, make perfect sense also to include the Council among the addressees.

As you know, I am awaiting the Commission's reply to my draft recommendation, made in the framework of own-initiative inquiry OI/2/2011/OV, suggesting revisions of the 2002 Communication. I trust that the

Commission's detailed opinion, which is due by 30 June 2012, will explain, in detail, how the Commission has taken account of my suggestions.

Yours sincerely,

P. Nikiforos Diamandouros