Press Release: Ombudsman achieves friendly solution to 100 000 EUR payment dispute

After the intervention of the European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, the European Commission settled a payment dispute with an Italian company. This followed a complaint from the company about an EU project to supply water for returnees and displaced persons in Liberia.

The Commission admitted shortcomings in its project management and accepted the Ombudsman's friendly solution proposal. It even went further and granted additional compensation payments to the complainant. As a result, the Italian company received more than 100 000 EUR.

Mr Diamandouros commented: 'The Commission's response to the friendly solution proposal in this case was exemplary. It not only admitted mistakes but took constructive steps to correct them. This case shows how the Ombudsman's intervention can help the Commission to resolve problems effectively.'