The European Ombudsman shall publish, in the C series of the Official Journal, announcements concerning the adoption of its annual and special reports making public the means for all interested to have access to the full text documents. Article 12 Cooperation with national ombudsmen The Ombudsman may work in conjunction with ombudsmen and similar bodies in the Member States with a view to enhancing the effectiveness both of his own inquiries and of those carried out by ombudsmen and similar bodies in the Member States and of making more effective provision for safeguarding the rights and interests of European citizens. Article 13 Public access to documents held by the Ombudsman 13.1. Reports of the Ombudsman to the European Parliament concerning a complaint that is confidential are published in a form that does not allow the citizen to be identified. The Ombudsman provides access to public documents held by his office in response to requests made in writing that sufficiently identify the documents concerned.
Access is given on the spot or by providing the applicant with a copy.
The Ombudsman may impose reasonable charges for the supply of copies of documents. The method of calculation of any charge is explained. The decision on a request for public access is taken without undue delay and in any case within 15 working days from receipt of the request. If a request for access to a document is refused in whole or in part reasons are given for the refusal. The above provisions do not apply in the case of published documents of which the Ombudsman is not the author.