The European Ombudsman, Jacob Söderman, has published a Guide for citizens entitled "What can the European Ombudsman do for you?" The 38-page brochure explains the Ombudsman's work and provides examples of complaints he has dealt with. It is available in the 11 official EU languages.

In the foreword to the Guide, Mr. Söderman says "This Guide highlights the Ombudsman's efforts in recent years to solve citizens' problems with the Community's administration... I hope that it gives citizens a clear picture of the service that the European Ombudsman's office can provide."

The Guide outlines the results achieved by the Union's first Ombudsman. Since being elected in 1995, Mr. Söderman has dealt with over 11,000 grievances from citizens, companies, organisations and public authorities. For the first time in 2002, the number of complaints he received exceeded 2,000.

 

"What can the European Ombudsman do for you?" is available on the Ombudsman's website at:
http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/guide/en/default.htm

 

Hard copies of the Guide can be obtained by contacting Rosita Agnew, Press Officer; tel : 00 33 3 88 17 24 08; E-mail: ragnew@europarl.eu.int.