I denne forbindelse vil jeg gerne fremhæve ombudsmændenes rolle i Europas demokratiske proces, idet de sikrer alle borgeres ret til, at deres sager bliver behandlet upartisk, retfærdigt og inden for en rimelig tidsfrist af de europæiske institutioner. De sikrer desuden borgerne ret til aktindsigt i dokumenter fra Europa-Parlamentet, Rådet og Kommissionen samt ret til at indgive andragender vedrørende fejl eller forsømmelser begået af EU's institutioner eller organer (med undtagelse af Domstolen eller Førsteinstansretten med hensyn til deres udøvelse af deres respektive retlige funktioner).
In this context, I should like to highlight the role of the Ombudsmen in the democratic process of Europe, in ensuring that all people have the right to have their affairs handled impartially, fairly and within a reasonable time by the institutions and bodies of the Union; access by citizens to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents; and the right to refer cases of maladministration in the activities of Community institutions or bodies (with the exception of the Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance acting in their respective judicial roles).