result in more effective and useful impact and yield desirable outcomes. It is therefore necessary to continue and enhance the Commissioner’s joint collaboration with governmental bodies, security, defence and law enforcement agencies, as well as NGOs. 3.5. International cooperation The Commissioner, in line with the directions of her activity, independently establishes relationships and maintains close cooperation with various international organizations, including the UN, its treaty bodies, country representations, Council of Europe, OSCE, International Committee of the Red Cross, and other prestigious organizations, embassies, as well as her foreign colleagues. It should be mentioned that so far 10 bilateral agreements on mutual cooperation have been signed with ombudsmen of various countries. The main goal of these agreements is that institutions timely inform each other about the violations of the rights and freedoms of the citizens of the other country, which is a party to the agreement, in the territory falling under its jurisdiction and organize assistance with prompt restoration of such rights within their powers. The Commissioner has become a member of the European Ombudsman Institute, the International Ombudsman Institute, and the Asian Ombudsman Association and successfully functions within those institutions. The representatives of the Commissioner and her Office also take part in relevant international events. The Commissioner’s international relations and cooperation have contributed greatly to the organization of her activity as an NPM. As such, the exchanges of views and experiences conducted on the international platform well before the designations of the Commissioner as an NPM contributed to the determination of the future perspectives. After the designation as an NPM, the Commissioner has paid particular attention to improving the establishment of international cooperation. For the mentioned purpose, right after the designation as an NPM, the Commissioner has accordingly informed the relevant international bodies, including the UN 99