Turkish EU minister meets EU ombudsman

Turkish EU Minister Egemen Bagis received EU Ombudsman Nikiforos Diamandouros in Ankara on Monday at theEU ministry. Turkey's first ombudsman Nihat Omeroglu also participated in the meeting. Bagis spoke about the efforts which had been undertaken to establish an ombudsman in Turkey, defining it as a very important step for EU reforms as well as a tradition in Turkish culture. Diamandouros also said that it was a historic moment for him to meet Omeroglu after having committed 15 years of personal effort to see Turkey have an ombudsman. Having an ombudsman will contribute to Turkey having a balanced democracy, based on the rule of law and separation of powers, said Diamandouros. Diamandouros will also participate in the International Ombudsman Symposium on Tuesday in Ankara. Turkish President receives European Ombudsman Diamandouros Turkish President Abdullah Gul received European Ombudsman Nikiforos Diamandouros on Monday in Turkish capital Ankara. Turkish Ombudsman Nihat Omeroglu also attended the meeting at Cankaya Presidential Palace.