Bulgaria’s capital Sofia hosts the meeting of Balkan countries Ombudsmen. Protection of civil rights will be the main topic of discussions during the event. Bulgaria’s national Ombudsman Maya Manolova voiced satisfaction that the forum is held in the year of the Bulgarian rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union where the support for the Western Balkans and their EU integration were in the focus of the Bulgarian EU Presidency.

At Manolova's initiative, a declaration on support and cooperation on human rights protection in the region was signed. A network of Balkan ombudsmen was also set up, involving 13 countries in the region, including Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania. Maya Manolova was elected its chairman.