Since the beginning of its’ operation back in October 1998, the Greek Ombudsman has received, on an almost daily basis, a significant number of citizens’ complaints, the basic subject of which is the systemic deficiencies and problems in relation to the protection of the environment in cases all over the country.

The Aarhus Convention together with EU Directive 2003/4 – both of which promote the necessity for public awareness on the issue of the protection of the environment - pre-suppose and require free access to environmental information for all. This need has prompted the Greek Ombudsman to seek a more systematic and organized communication with you regarding the exchange of pertinent information.

I, therefore, welcome all site visitors, hoping this interaction will allow for a better collaboration and diffusion of information, in parallel with the upgrading of services at all levels of public administration- central, decentralized or self-governed/local. This is, after all, in line with the constitutional principle of sustainability, requiring that concern for the protection of the environment must underlie all administrative policies and acts.

Thank you.

George B. Kaminis
The Greek Ombudsman