1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
                Feb Mar May Jul Sep Nov

In February, senior investigators Miltiades Pavlou and Kalliope Lykovardi were dispatched to Pristina on a short training mission, sharing knowledge on practical issues with the Kosovo Ombudsperson staff. The Greek Ombudsman's investigators also established contacts with the Ombudsperson, Mr. Nowicki, and the International Deputy Ombudspersons, discussing issues related to the role of the institution and the difficulties they encounter in the implementation of their mandate.

In March, following an invitation by the Human Rights Directorate of the Council of Europe, senior investigator Dimitris Christopoulos attended a coordination meeting of the informal group steering the implementation of the Stability Pact project related to the Ombudsman-type institutions in Southeastern Europe. The objective of the meeting held in Strasbourg, was to present the developments regarding the funding of the project's activities and to further discuss the priorities and methodology issues related to the project at hand.

In May, the Greek Ombudsman and senior investigator Dimitris Christopoulos attended the review meeting of the 'Ombudsman' project, which was held in Council of Europe's Headquarters in Strasbourg. The aim of the meeting was to take stock of progress achieved in the implementation of the project, to assess and adapt its methodology according to the needs of the beneficiary institutions and to decide on a strategy for intensifying activities in 2000-2001.

In July, the Greek Ombudsman financed and organized, together with OSCE and the Yugoslav Ministry of Justice, an international 2-day workshop on "The model for the Ombudsman of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia", which was held in Belgrade. The Greek delegation consisted of the Ombudsman, Prof. Diamandouros, the deputy Ombudsmen Prof. Yiorgos Kaminis and Mrs. Aliki Koutsoumari and senior investigator Mrs. Emilia Liaska. The discussion that took place during the workshop provided the FRY government with legal expertise on the draft laws proposed for the Ombudsman institution and underlined the importance of certain criteria that should define the its legal and functional framework.

In September, the Council of Europe commissioned a legal expertise on the draft law for the Slovak Ombudsman, which was undertaken by the Greek Ombudsman office. Senior investigators and legal experts Maria Liadi and Chryssa Hatzi carried out the task.

In November, the Greek Ombudsman participated in the works of the International Conference on the "Relationship between Ombudsmen and Judicial Bodies", which was held in Ljubljiana, Slovenia and was co-organised by the Slovenian Ombudsman and the Council of Europe. The Greek Ombudsman delegates' senior investigators Chryssa Hatzi and Maria Liadi contributed to the conference proceedings a paper entitled "Justice applied. The Greek Ombudsman and the effectiveness of judicial protection".

Also in November the Greek Ombudsman, Prof. Diamandouros, visited Tirana, aiming to promote institutional cooperation between the Albania and Greece and in particular to examine the possibilities of providing assistance to the Ombudsman institution of Albania. During the meeting between Prof. Diamandouros and his counterpart, Mr. Ermir Dobjani, it was discussed the issue of Albanian immigration to Greece, among others. The Greek Ombudsman also had formal meetings with the President of the Albanian Republic, Mr. Rexhep Meidani, the minister of Justice Mr. Sokol Nako, the minister of Public Works and Tourism, Mr. Bashkim Fino, the chairman of the Constitutional Court, Mr. Fehmi Abdiu and the Chairmain of the Supreme Court, Mr. Thimio Kondi.