Activities of the European Ombudsman – annual report 2023
This resolution reviews the European Ombudsman's 2023 activities, focusing on how the Ombudsman handled complaints about maladministration by EU institutions and promoted good governance. The report highlights that the European Commission was the subject of the most inquiries, followed by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) and the European Parliament. Citizens and legal entities are the primary beneficiaries of the Ombudsman's work. Key issues addressed include transparency and access to documents, service culture, and recruitment processes. The Ombudsman also investigated systemic delays in the Commission's handling of public access requests, finding them to constitute maladministration. The resolution urges the Commission to improve its handling of document requests and calls for a revision of the regulation on public access to documents to align with the digital age and extend its scope to all EU institutions.
Analysis
The European Ombudsman received 398 inquiries in 2023, with 393 based on complaints and 5 on own initiative.
What changes
- The resolution calls for the revision of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 on public access to documents to align with the digital context and extend its scope to all EU institutions.
- The resolution urges the Commission to urgently address systemic delays in handling requests for public access to documents and respect established deadlines.
- The resolution supports the Ombudsman's findings of maladministration regarding the Commission's delays in processing public access requests for documents.
Expected impact
- The revision of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 aims to enhance transparency and accountability across all EU institutions, bodies, and agencies.
- Systemic delays in the Commission's handling of public access requests are identified as maladministration, requiring urgent correction.
- Improved access to documents and timely information handling by EU institutions is expected to strengthen citizens' trust and participation in the EU legislative process.
Limitations
- The document is a resolution of the European Parliament on the annual report of the European Ombudsman and does not contain new legislative proposals that would introduce direct changes to EU law.
- Specific quantitative impacts on businesses or citizens are not detailed within the text.
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