Annual report 2002 - EOI

244 ANNUAL REPORT | 2002
also heard presentations from Mr Timo KONSTARI, Mrs Tuula LAAKSOVIRTA, Mrs
Hannele KOIVUNEN and Mrs Kirsi MANNINEN.
UNITED KINGDOM
Wales
On 27 May, Mr SÖDERMAN travelled to Cardiff where he met the Right Honourable
Rhodri MORGAN AM, First Minister of the Welsh Assembly Government. Mr
SÖDERMAN was accompanied by his Internet and Communications Officer, Ben
HAGARD and his Press Officer, Rosita AGNEW. Matters discussed during the meeting
included the raising of public awareness of the work of the European Ombudsman and the
present situation and future plans for public sector ombudsmen in Wales.
Mr SÖDERMAN then held a number of meetings with staff of the National Assembly for
Wales, including members of the European and External Affairs unit, the Public
Information and Education Services unit and representatives of the Permanent Secretary’s
Office. He also had an exchange of views with members of the Welsh Assembly, including
Mike GERMAN (South Wales East), John GRIFFITHS (Newport East), Rhodri Glyn
THOMAS (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr) and Rosemary BUTLER (Newport West). Mr
SÖDERMAN underlined the importance of informing Welsh citizens about their right to
complain to the Ombudsman.
The First Minister of the Welsh Assembly Government, Mr Rhodri Morgan
greeting Mr Söderman in Cardiff on 27 May.
On 28 May, Mr SÖDERMAN continued his series of meetings in the Welsh Assembly,
where he spoke to representatives of the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO), the
Head of the European and External Affairs unit of the Assembly and the Office of the
Council General.
On 28 May, Mr SÖDERMAN presented his work at an event organised by the
Commission Representation in Wales. His first meeting was with the staff of the
Commission representation, where he gave an overview of the types of complaints he