THIS COMPLAINT WAS TREATED AS CONFIDENTIAL. THE DECISION HAS THEREFORE BEEN ANONYMISED. THE MASCULINE FORM HAS BEEN USED THROUGHOUT.

Dear X,
I am writing in reply to your complaint of 9 September 1999 concerning the allegation that the European Commission insisted on receiving five separate commitment letters from the different organisations comprising your Group as a condition of awarding a contract.
After a careful examination of your complaint, the European Ombudsman contacted the Commission on 3 November 1999 with a request to comment on your complaint. On 21 February 2000, the European Ombudsman forwarded you the Commission's opinion. In its opinion, the Commission stated that in the meantime all five commitment letters had been submitted and that the project in question had been subsidised. As the European Ombudsman's office did not receive any observations from your side, a letter was sent to you on 13 September 2000 inquiring your observations. On 18 September 2000, you called the European Ombudsman's office stating that you were satisfied with the outcome of your complaint.
The Ombudsman therefore considers that steps have been taken by both parties to settle the matter.
The Ombudsman has therefore decided to close the case.
The President of the Commission will also be informed of this decision.
Yours sincerely
Jacob SÖDERMAN