OMBUDSMAN'S ANNUAL REPORT UNVEILED TO MEPS.

Jacob Soderman, the European Parliament's Ombudsman, presented his fifth annual report to MEPs meeting on 6 July during their latest plenary session. The Ombudsman was in a particularly upbeat mood, drawing attention to what he believes is the institution's undeniable success: the record number of complaints received. He received 1,577 complaints in 1999 compared with 1,377 in 1998. 414 of them were matters that came within his area of business. 243 of them were deemed to be admissible. The Ombudsman stressed that the system had been simplified to allow citizens to file complaints without having to get bogged down with complicated procedures. He welcomed the "honest and constructive" attitude the authorities had adopted towards the complaints.On behalf of the Parliament's Committee on Petitions, Jean Lambert (Greens, United Kingdom) welcomed the Ombudsman's report, stressing the need to draw the general public's attention to the official's role and pointing to the availability of the Europe Direct" site. She stressed the key part played by the Committee. 958 petitions were...