Visit of the Spanish Ombudsman

VISIT OF THE SPANISH OMBUDSMAN TO ATHENS

The Ombudsman, Yorgos Kaminis, and his counterpart Enrique Mugica Herzog, held a meeting on Tuesday December 9, 2003 at the offices of the Ombudsman in Athens.
During this meeting points of view and experiences gained from the progress of the institution in both countries were exchanged. During his discussions with the Deputy Ombudsmen and the Ombudsman, as well as during his speech to the staff of the Institution, Mr Mugica Herzog referred to the organization and operation of the Independent Authority of the Ombudsman in Spain; further, he developed in particular its competence in referring laws to the Constitutional Court with queries on constitutionality.
The meeting closed with a common press conference of Messrs Kaminis and Mugica Herzog during which they emphasised the contribution of both institutions towards the increase of knowledge relating to the provision of services to the citizen, the modernisation of public administration and, generally, the upgrading of the quality of democracy.
On the same day, a speech was given by Messrs Kaminis and Mugica Herzog on the subject of: "The establishment of constitutional democracy and the role of the Ombudsman in Greece and Spain"; representatives of the State Council, university professors and members of the Spanish community in Greece were present at the lecture.
During the visit of the Spanish Ombudsman in Greece, he also met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Kostas Skandalides and the Vice President of Parliament, Mr. Konstantine Vrettos.