Kocijancic: Concern over allegations against ombudsman

BRUSSELS - Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson of EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Johannes Hahn, has expressed concern over the allegations targeted at Serbia's Ombudsman Sasa Jankovic and called on government institutions to cooperate fully with regulatory bodies, including the ombudsman.

The EU is concerned over the allegations coming from some circles in Serbia that state that the ombudsman, who is performing his duty according to th elaw, is threatening national security, she said in a media statement on Saturday.

According to the Constitution, the ombudsman plays a key role in monitoring government bodies, including the security sector, in roder to ensure that the citizens' rights are protected.

The EU expects government institutions to cooperate with independent regulatory institutions in full, including the ombudsman, and gelp them perform their duties as stipulated by the law, the statement says.

Kocijancic added that the EU would continue to keep track of this area, since it is related to Chapter 23 of the accession talks.

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