Report on the European Ombudsman's annual report 2004

The European Parliament adopted a resolution based on the own-initiative report drafted by Manolis MAVROMMATIS (EPP-ED, EL) on the annual report on the activities of the European Ombudsman for the year 2004. (Please see the document dated 12/09/2005.) Parliament adopted a report by 426 votes in favour, 3 against, with 9 abstentions. It also urged the Commission to take measures to end the existing situation whereby institutions and bodies follow different codes of conduct and called on it to adopt the European Code of Good Administrative Behaviour. Furthermore, Parliament encouraged the extension and strengthening of the system of non-judicial appeal which provides citizens with an alternative to legal action, in the form of decisions and recommendations which are not legally binding and do not constitute coercive measures.

Finally, it urged the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) to respect the rules and practices concerning openness and transparency in recruitment procedures and in particular to comply with Article 4 of the European Code of Good Administrative Behaviour by stating the reasons for its decisions.