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On 13 February the new steering group of the Eunomia Project convened in Strasbourg. Apart from the Greek Ombudsman, Mr. Yiorgos Kaminis, the new steering group includes the EU Ombudsman, Mr. Nikiforos Diamandouros, while the Human Rights Commissioner of the Council of Europe (CoE), Mr. Gil Robles, has filled in the position occupied so far by the Human Rights Directorate of the CoE. The purpose of the meeting was to review the activities of the first phase of the project (period 2001-2003) and to plan the next phase of its evolution. Having secured sufficient funding from the Greek Government the activities of the Eunomia Project will be prolonged well into 2006.

Between 22-24 March, three members of the Vojvodina Ombudsman staff attended a 3-day training seminar at the office of the Greek Ombudsman. The seminar sessions focused on the following subjects: a) case handling at Greek Ombudsman by department, b) compliance of the administration with the Ombudsman's recommendations, c) the relation of the Ombudsman with the media and d) the relation of the Ombudsman with the judicial authorities. The seminar aimed to familiarize the Vojvodina Ombudsman staff with the experiences of the Greek Ombudsman on matters of common interest (especially subjects of human rights, children rights environmental protection, social welfare and gender equality) and the establishment of mutual understanding on the different role that the Ombudsman undertakes within the constitutional polity of societies with rule of law and those in transitory phase.

Between 1-7 May, the Greek Ombudsman senior investigator, Miltos Pavlou, participated in a common with the Spanish Ombudsman mission to the Republic of Kazakhstan. The mission's objective was the drafting of a cooperation plan for the implementation of an international project for the development of the potential of the Ombudsman of Kazakhstan. The project is under the auspice of the European Commission.

Between 9-10 May , at Nevesehir of Cappadokia – Turkey, a seminar devoted to “The Role of the Ombudsman in a State Governed by the Rule of Law” was jointly organised by the Turkish Parliament, the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights and the Greek Ombudsman's “Eunomia” Project. The seminar – which was attended by the European Ombudsman, Ombudsmen from several European countries, numerous Turkish parliamentarians, administration officials and civil society representatives – aimed to further develop the ongoing discussions in Turkey on the possible introduction of an Ombudsman's office.

Between 16-20 May, seven members of the Montenegro Ombudsman staff, headed by the Ombudsman himself, Mr. Sefko Crnovrsanin, attended a 4-day training seminar at the office of the Greek Ombudsman. The seminar sessions focused on the following subjects: a) case handling at Greek Ombudsman by department, b) compliance of the administration with the Ombudsman's recommendations, c) the relation of the Ombudsman with the media and d) the relation of the Ombudsman with the judicial authorities. The seminar aimed to familiarize the Montenegrin Ombudsman staff with the experience of the Greek Ombudsman on matters of common interest (especially subjects of human rights, children rights, environmental protection and social welfare) and the establishment of mutual understanding on the different role that the Ombudsman undertakes within the constitutional polity of societies with rule of law and those in transitory phase.

Also in May , within the framework of the “Eunomia” Project for the promotion of the Ombudsman in Southeastern Europe, the Greek Ombudsman published an informational leaflet in Turkish language, presenting the institution and its activities.

On the 28th and 29th of September the GO participated, along with the Office of the Stability Pact for South-eastern Europe, the Government of Serbia and the OSCE mission in Serbia, in the co-organisation of a Conference in Belgrade dedicate to the enhancement of regional co-operation between the Ombudsman offices in South - eastern Europe. The Conference also aimed to contribute to the efforts for the establishment of an Ombudsman institution in the Republic of Serbia . Amongst the participating delegations, apart form the aforementioned, were several Ombudsman institutions from the region and EU countries, the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe and the European Ombudsman.

Between the 29th of September – 1st of October the GO senior investigators Ms. Anna Papadopoulou and Mr. Kostas Antoniades, participated in a workshop, organized by the Vojvodina Ombudsman Institution (VO) in Novi Sad. The meeting focused on the activities the VO in the first year of its operation and it came as a follow – up to the study visit of the VO staff in Athens earlier this year.

Also between 29 September – 1 October, GO senior investigators Ms. Calliope Stefanaki and Ms. Alexandra Dellis were received by the Protector of human rights and freedoms of the Montenegrin Republic (MO), Mr. Sefko Crnovrsanin, at his office in Podgorica . A short presentation of the newly established Montenegrin office was given to the GO representatives by the Protector himself, followed by a visit to the premises and a meeting with the staff. This visit came as follow – up to the study visit of the MO staff in Athens earlier this year.

In November, following a request from the OSCE mission in Serbia , senior investigators Ms. Alexandra Dellis and Mr. Christos Papastylianos prepared a commentary on the most recent draft law version for the Ombudsman of the Serbian Republic and took part in a round table discussion in Serbia organized by the OSCE mission in Belgrade .

Between 10-11 December, the conference entitled “Setting up an Ombudsman Institution” was held in the premises of Dolmabahce Palace and of Bilgi University in Istanbul, Turkey. The event, which was instigated by the upcoming adoption of a bill establishing an Ombudsman institution in Turkey, was a product of the collaboration between the Greek Ombudsman, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and Law Faculty of Bilgi University of Istanbul. Participants included high-level delegations from Ombudsman institutions in the EU and international organizations, as well as Turkish officials, academics and representatives of the civil society. The sessions covered a wide range of important issues encountered in the Ombudsman’s daily work, through experience sharing, reflection, and in-depth discussions among all participants.