OSCE Mission to Skopje supports co-operation between Ombudsman offices and local authorities

SKOPJE, 29 Feb 2008 - A regional roundtable discussion supported by the OSCE Mission to further enhance co-operation between the Ombudsman Institution and local authorities started today in Bitola.

The discussion, the final in a series of six events held throughout the country, aims to be a forum for representatives from all interested parties to discuss the Ombudsman's powers and attributions, and their implications for the work of local authorities.

"Solid working relationships between the Ombudsman regional offices and the local government increase the effectiveness and sustainability of municipal activities and should positively contribute to the promotion and protection of citizens' rights," said Jovdat Mammedov, Deputy Head of the Rule of Law Department at the OSCE Mission to Skopje.

Deputy Ombudsman Liljana Ilievska said: "Unfortunately, citizens cannot fully exercise their rights. The aim of the discussions is to indicate the problems citizens face with respect to local authorities, who would in return process citizens' requests more effectively and in accordance with the law".

The roundtable discussions were developed by the OSCE Mission to Skopje and the Ombudsman Institution, and are financially supported by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).

The six Ombudsman regional offices were established in late 2004 and officially began activities in July 2005, when the Parliament appointed the six Deputy Ombudsmen.