Costa seeks cooperation from Teresa Anjinho to strengthen citizens’ trust in the EU

The President of the European Council, António Costa, said today he expects the cooperation of the European Ombudsman, also Portuguese Teresa Anjinho, to strengthen citizens’ trust in European institutions by ensuring integrity.

“I had the pleasure of meeting with the European Ombudsman, Teresa Anjinho, and discussing our cooperation. Citizens’ trust in institutions is based on the integrity of EU administration,” António Costa wrote in a post on the social network X.

“The European Ombudsman plays an important role in bringing the EU closer to citizens,” added the former Portuguese Prime Minister, who today leads the institution that brings together the heads of Government and State of the Union.

Last February, the former Secretary of State for Justice and former Deputy Ombudsman of Portugal, Teresa Anjinho, took office as the new Ombudsman of the EU for a five-year term.

In an interview with the Lusa agency in Brussels, released at the time, Teresa Anjinho said she wants to “empower” more citizens, particularly the vulnerable or underrepresented, to be able to file complaints with the body, in areas such as the management of community funds.

The new EU Ombudsman also stated that she wants greater transparency in community institutions and suggested the creation of new rules on access to documents, following recent cases of mismanagement and corruption.

In the previous term, the European Commission faced criticism from the EU Ombudsman regarding the lack of transparency in the disclosure of documents related to the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines and the understanding agreement with Tunisia for migration management.

The Ombudsman’s office, which is impartial, can initiate an inquiry following a complaint (which must be submitted within two years from the date of the issue) or on its own initiative.

Then, the case can be resolved through information to the targeted institution or an amicable solution, but if that is not possible, the Ombudsman can issue recommendations and, if these are not adopted, a special report may be made to the European Parliament for necessary political measures to be taken.

At stake are cases of abusive behavior, discrimination, abuse of power, omission of information or refusal to provide information, unnecessary delays, or disrespect for procedures, for example.

Complaints can be submitted by nationals or residents of EU countries or by associations or companies established in the community space.

At 50 years old, Teresa Anjinho is a specialist in human rights and an academic researcher. Until now, she was part of the Monitoring Committee of the European Anti-Fraud Office.

Established in 1995, the European Ombudsman investigates cases of mismanagement in the institutions, bodies, offices, and agencies of the EU, acting on its own initiative or in response to citizens’ complaints.