The European Ombudsman, Jacob Söderman, has congratulated Nikiforos Diamandouros on his election as the new European Ombudsman. Welcoming today's vote in the European Parliament, Mr. Söderman said " I am convinced that Mr. Diamandouros will work on behalf of European citizens with dedication. His track record in defending citizens' rights will greatly benefit him as European Ombudsman. His experience in successfully setting up an ombudsman office in Greece will surely be valuable."

Nikiforos Diamandouros will take up the post of European Ombudsman on 1 April of this year when Mr. Söderman retires. By then, Mr. Söderman will have been European Ombudsman for over seven and a half years, having been elected the Union's first Ombudsman in 1995.

Mr. Diamandouros is currently the National Ombudsman of Greece, having been appointed Greece's first National Ombudsman in 1998.

 

For further information on the Ombudsman election, please visit:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/comparl/peti/election2004/default_en.htm