Ombudsperson Institution of Kosovo has become today the 28^th member of Association of the Mediterranean Ombudsmen (MOA), alongside France, Spain, Greece, Albania, Malta, Morocco, Palestine, Algeria, Israel, Slovenia, Macedonia, Cyprus etc. This Association was established on 19 of December 2008 in Mersey on occasion of the second meeting of Network of Mediterranean Ombudsmen.

Valletta, 10 March 2016 – under organization of Malta Ombudsman, from 9-10 March 2016 in Valleta, capital of Malta, the ninth Meeting of Association of the Mediterranean Ombudsmen (AOM) is taking place, on which occasion the Ombudsperson Institution of Kosovo (OIK) gained full rights membership.

Request of Ombudsperson Institution of Kosovo for membership was discussed on the second day of this event, on the meeting of General Assemble of the Association. On this occasion it was stressed that Ombudsperson Institution of Kosovo functions in line with AMO Statute and predefined criteria and due to that it meets requested conditions to become a member, alongside other national institutions on human rights, members of this Association. Subsequently, members of the General Assembly unveiled individually their vote, which resulted with admission of the Ombudsperson Institution of Kosovo as full rights member within the Association of the Mediterranean Ombudsmen (AOM).

Gaining membership of Ombudsperson Institution of Kosovo into Association of the Mediterranean Ombudsmen (AOM) is step forward on international human rights structures.

Main theme of this AOM meeting was “Ombudsman – main actor of good governance”. Discussions strongly emphasized the crucial role that Institutions of Ombudsmen/Mediators have to influence on states’ good governance and strengthening of democracy, such they are crucial for protection of human rights in countries where they function. A part of discussions was focused on cooperation of institutions of AOM members, not solely on exchanging of practice, but on possibilities for training and advanced studies as well regarding Ombudsmen Institutions and Good Governance. Establishment of a sustainable cooperation and of a dynamic communication among these institutions itself will influences on respect and empowerment of human rights and freedoms in respective states, was stressed during the meeting. Furthermore, in a special working session of this meeting, Ombudsmen’ role was discussed relating to  coordination of activities on issues regarding protection of human rights during economic and political crises, terrorism and illegal migration as well as refugee crises.