The SIGMA programme is a joint initiative of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the European Commission, with the goal to support the strengthening of public administrations and the implementation of governance reforms in EU candidate countries.

The meeting focused on the relationship between the National Assembly and the Ombudsman, especially the National Assembly’s role in providing support to the institution of the Ombudsman in exercising effective supervision over the executive branch and public administration bodies.

Jelena Zaric Kovacevic outlined the procedure for considering the Ombudsman’s annual report submitted to the National Assembly and containing data on the institution’s activities in the previous year, data on irregularities or shortcomings observed in public administration bodies, as well as proposals for the elimination of these shortcomings.

She said that the Ombudsman submits the report for the previous year by 15 March of the current year, and it is first considered by the two competent committees - the Committee on Justice, Public Administration and Local Self-Government and the Committee on Human and Minority Rights and Gender Equality. The Ombudsman is also present at the committee sittings when the annual report is considered, said Zaric Kovacevic, which then formulate a conclusion proposal on the considered the report and forward it to the National Assembly for consideration and adoption.

Jelena Zaric Kovacevic stressed how very important it is for the Ombudsman to be a visible and recognisable institution for citizens, and by performing its control role, the National Assembly contributes to the strengthening of the institution of the Ombudsman. In addition to considering the annual report, the National Assembly has other control mechanisms, such as: parliamentary questions, consideration of ministry activity information, public hearings, organising committee sessions outside the National Assembly seat, interpellation on the work of the Government, she said.

Dr Muamer Bacevac said that the Committee for Human and Minority Rights and Gender Equality has very good and substantial cooperation with the Ombudsman accompanied by a series of joint and activities, in addition to reviewing its annual activity report. He said that there have been meetings, also attended by representatives of the state administration, concerning the problems and recommendations called to attention by the Ombudsman in the report, such as the issue of official use of minority languages and scripts and prevention of violence against women. Bacevac also pointed out that the Committee held public hearings and sessions outside the National Assembly seat on topics related to the Ombudsman’s findings and recommendations.

Zaric Kovacevic and Bacevac also pointed that, according to the Ombudsman’s 2019 Activity Report, in as many as 97% of cases, the Ombudsman’s recommendations and opinions, which are not legally binding, are taken into account.