The Ombudsman’s contribution to the resolution of administrative problems regarding the protection of the environment

After eight years of ongoing action in the Eunomia Project, the time is ripe for closer co-operation in specific areas of interest to the Ombudsman, with the aim of highlighting best practices for tackling maladministration. In this context, the actions planned for years 2008 and 2009 concern the co-operation of the Greek Ombudsman with the Ombudsmen in neighbouring states (Bulgaria and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) over environmental protection issues. In the framework of the actions planned for 2009 the following meetings took place:

• Representatives of the Eunomia Project met (20–21 Νοvember) in Skopje with the Ombudsman of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and his office head to discuss environmental issues.
• In Kavala (26–27 Νοvember), the Ombudsman organised two preparatory meetings with national agencies on the topic “Potential for the institutional intervention of the Ombudsman in water protection and integrated water management”.
• At a meeting of the coordinator of the Eunomia programme with the leadership of the Bulgarian Ombudsman’s Office (Sofia, 8 December), it was decided that the object of the bilateral co-operation will be the Ombudsman’s contribution to the better incorporation and application of EU Directives on the environment.

 

Τhe results of all the aforementioned actions will be presented at a European workshop on the Ombudsman’s role in the protection of the environment, in July 2009.