THE OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS OF THE EUROPEAN OMBUDSMAN

The European Ombudsman, which constitutes one of the building blocks of the democratic governance structure of the European Union, was created with a view to protect fundamental rights and freedoms and ensure the settlement of good administration in the Union institutions and bodies. Established as an institution bearing the role of a mediator, the European Ombudsman has been expected to promote the relationship between the Union and its citizens. In case of any dispute between the citizens and the institutions and bodies of the Union, its primary concern is to resolve it. This paper investigates how effective the European Ombudsman operates in practice in dispute resolution. The operational effectiveness of the institution in question will be evaluated in the light of data included in thelast five-year annual reports of the institution. Based on the findings, this study will also seek an answer to the question how the European Ombudsman plays a role in achieving those aforesaid goals in the administrative domain of the Union.