Decision on strategic initiative SI/3/2018/JN: effective complaint mechanisms for matters concerning European Structural and Investment Funds - follow-up to OI/8/2014/AN

Thursday | 18 July 2019

Mr Jean-Claude Juncker President of the European Commission Strasbourg, 18/07/2019 Dear Mr President, I refer to my letter of 25 September 2018 on effective complaint mechanisms for matters concerning European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI funds) and how Article 74(3) of Regulation 1303/2013[1] is implemented. I have now examined the Commission’s reply, as well as the information provided b...

Letter to the Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union, Mr Jeppe Tranholm‐Mikkelsen, concerning commercial sponsorship of Presidencies

Monday | 15 July 2019

Mr Jeppe Tranholm‐Mikkelsen Secretary-General Council of the European Union Strasbourg, 15/07/2019 Complaint 1069/2019/MIG Subject: Commercial sponsorship of Presidencies of the Council of the European Union Dear Mr Tranholm-Mikkelsen, I have received a complaint from foodwatch international against the Council of the European Union. The complainant takes issue with the fact that the Council does ...

Reply to the proposal of the European Ombudsman for a solution in case 129/2019/MIG on the European Commission’s refusal of public access to documents concerning the expenses incurred in relation to the official visit of a Commissioner to the United States of America

Thursday | 11 July 2019

Please download the attached PDF file.

Reply of the of the European Parliament in SI/1/2019/AMF concerning the leave rights of certain staff members and the best interests of the child

Monday | 01 July 2019

Please download pdf document attached.

Reply from the European Investment Bank to the European Ombudsman on the recommendation in the inquiry 805/2018/THH concerning the EIB's refusal to grant public access to documents regarding a loan to Volkswagen

Friday | 28 June 2019

Please download pdf document attached.

Reply of the General Secretariat of the Council in SI/1/2019/AMF concerning the leave rights of certain staff members and the best interests of the child

Friday | 28 June 2019

Please download pdf document attached.

Closing note on the Strategic Initiative with the European Commission to improve the Transparency Register (SI/7/2016/KR)

Thursday | 27 June 2019

The Transparency Register was set up by the European Commission and Parliament in 2011 to allow the public to monitor the activities of interest representatives (or “lobbyists”) who seek to influence the formulation and implementation of EU legislation and policy. Overall, the Register has been successful and while there are gaps, it is improving over time.

In 2016, the Commission organised a public consultation on several proposed reforms aimed at improving the Transparency Register.

In this context, the Ombudsman opened a ‘strategic initiative’, to contribute to this important debate and to monitor developments by writing to the Commission on the issue.

In January 2018, inter-institutional negotiations began between the Parliament, the Council of the EU and the Commission on the Commission’s proposal to revise and improve the Transparency Register. These negotiations have not yet led to a successful outcome.

The Ombudsman encourages the incoming Parliament, the Council and the incoming Commission to renew their efforts to improve the Transparency Register given the importance of this matter for public trust in the EU.

Report on the second meeting with the European Medicines Agency in the European Ombudsman inquiry into pre-submission activities organised by the agency (OI/72017/KR)

Wednesday | 26 June 2019

Case title: Strategic inquiry into pre-submission activities organised by the European Medicines Agency Date: Wednesday, 15 May 2019, 10:00-15:00 Location: EMA (temporary ‘Spark Building’), Orlyplein 24, Amsterdam Present The European Ombudsman represented by: Mr Fergal Ó Regan, Head of Coordination of Public Interest Inquiries; Mr Koen Roovers, Case Handler, Strategic Inquiries Unit; Mr Diesmer d...

Letter sent to the European Commission concerning interpretation of Directive 2003/4/EC on public access to environmental information

Wednesday | 26 June 2019

Mr Christian Linder Secretariat General Head of Unit - C2 European Commission Dear Mr Linder, On 18 June 2019, the European Ombudsman received a letter from the Office of the Danish Ombudsman concerning the interpretation of Directive 2003/4/EC on public access to environmental information[1]. We would appreciate it if the Commission could reply to the following question: Is Directive 2003/4/EC on...

Report on the second meeting with the European Medicines Agency in the European Ombudsman inquiry into pre-submission activities organised by the agency (OI//72017/KR)

Wednesday | 26 June 2019

Case title: Strategic inquiry into pre-submission activities organised by the European Medicines Agency Date: Wednesday, 15 May 2019, 10:00-15:00 Location: EMA (temporary ‘Spark Building’), Orlyplein 24, Amsterdam Present The European Ombudsman represented by: Mr Fergal Ó Regan, Head of Coordination of Public Interest Inquiries; Mr Koen Roovers, Case Handler, Strategic Inquiries Unit; Mr Diesmer d...