European Commission

VERA JOUROVA VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Rue de la Loi, 200 B-1049 Brussels Tel. +32-2 295 51 44 cab-jourova-contact®ec.eu ropa.eu

Brussels, 16/06 /20 Ares (2020) 2315778

Dear Ms O'Reilly,

Thank you for your letter of 30 April 2020 addressed to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen regarding the consultations we launched to prepare the new strategy for the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. President von der Leyen has asked me to respond to you as I am responsible for delivering the strategy.

I fully agree with you that National Human Rights Institutions, Ombudsman institutions, and Equality bodies, play a key role in making the Charter a reality in people's lives. One of the objectives of the strategy will be to outline how we can help them to use the Charter to its full potential. This is why it was indeed important for us to consult them about best practices that could be promoted and gaps that should be filled. In this regard, as you rightly underline, European level networks such as the European Network of Ombudsmen that you coordinate, the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions, and Equinet play a key role. These targeted consultations follow the Charter 10th anniversary event organised last November, where we were pleased that you could participate as one of the keynote speakers (outcomes are available at: https:llec.europa.euiinfo/events/2019-conference-eu-charter- fundamental-rights-2019-nov-12_en).

When developing the Strategy we will of course ensure that it will be complementary to other relevant EU strategies and with our work on the rule of law and democracy.

I am looking forward to presenting the new Charter strategy to you later this year. Your support and the support of national Ombudsmen and their Network will be important to help us implement the strategy and improve the effective application of the Charter on the ground.

Yours sincerely,

Vera JOUROVA