The European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, will visit Denmark from 5 to 7 November, at the invitation of the Danish Parliamentary Ombudsman, Hans Gammeltoft-Hansen, to promote awareness among citizens of their rights and means of redress at the European level.

Commenting on the upcoming visit, Mr. Diamandouros said: "Danish citizens are among the best informed about European citizenship and the European Ombudsman. 85% of the Danish population correctly believe that one of the rights of European citizenship is the right to complain to the European Ombudsman. There is still work to be done, however, especially to inform citizens about recent developments in this area, in particular the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the Draft Constitution for Europe. I look forward to exploring ways of further improving the situation of awareness with my colleague Hans Gammeltoft-Hansen."

The European Ombudsman actively co-operates with ombudsmen and similar bodies throughout Europe in order to provide citizens with the best possible service when they need to make a complaint.

During his visit, Mr Diamandouros will meet the Speaker of the Danish Parliament, Christian Mejdahl, the Chair of the Legal Affairs Committee of the Danish Parliament, Anne Baastrup, the Secretary-General of the Danish Parliament, Henrik Tvarno, the Permanent Secretary of State of the Prime Minister's office, Nils Bernstein, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Friis Arne Petersen.

The European Ombudsman will meet with representatives of Danish NGOs and other similar organisations at a briefing in the European Commission's Representation on Wednesday, 5 November. He will also visit the European Environment Agency.

Mr. Diamandouros will end his visit with a press conference to be held on Friday, 7 November jointly with Hans Gammeltoft-Hansen.

 

For further information, please call Nicholas Catephores, Assistant to the European Ombudsman, tel. +33 6 23 21 03 91.