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[15 January 2007] In a preliminary consultation with ombudsmen, Commissioner Hammarberg proposed enhanced cooperation as part of an effort to support the long-term effectiveness of the European Convention of Human Rights control mechanism. The meeting was part of an ongoing dialogue with national human rights structures - ombudsmen and human rights commissions or institutes - the next major step of which is a conference on 12-13 April 2007 in Athens. Discussions focused on the recommendations of the Group of Wise Persons in their final report dated 15 November 2006. That report suggests that an active network of the Commissioner and national human rights structures could be of assistance to the European Court of Human Rights. Following an initiative of the European Chapter of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), the meeting was hosted by the Petitions Committee of the German Parliament and was also attended by a representative of the European Group of National Human Rights Institutions (Commissions).