Updates on the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Letter to EBRD president Thomas Mirow regarding the loan approval for the D1 motorway Phase 1, Slovakia

Bankwatch Mail 43

In this issue: Wise up! European Development Bank red herring masks critique of EIB’s external operations * The case for cyanide in Bulgaria’s gold mines kicked out * Lost in transition * New EU funds report and website * EU funds sinking in Latvia’s enduring crisis swamp * Charge of the electricity brigade against villagers in Ukraine * Will the World Bank be rewarded for business as usual or put to the test to stop climate-damaging development? * Belene in and out of the grip of Russia * IFI

Over the edge. Enel’s plans to export its pollution to Porto Romano, Albania

The Italian energy giant Enel is planning to construct a coal-fired thermal power plant consisting of two 800 MW units at Porto Romano near the city of Durres in Albania. If constructed this would be the largest investment in the history of the Albanian energy industry. Eighty five percent of the electricity produced would be exported to Italy.

Kazakhstan civil society letter to EIB requesting disclosure of information on the EIB’s Framework Agreement with Kazakhstan

The EIB responded to our letter on May 19, 2010. Their response can be downloaded as pdf.

Bankwatch comments on the draft EBRD Agribusiness Strategy

Bankwatch is pleased to see the EBRD giving additional attention to several environmental aspects of its agribusiness operations, but believes that promoting a model based on excessive food transportation and monocultural production is ultimately unsustainable. Additional attention also needs to be paid to the employment and gender impacts of projects.

Letter from European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights to to Commissioner Oettinger concerning a visit to Turkmenistan

The letter from Heidi Hautala, Chairwoman of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights, puts forward a request to Commissioner for Energy Guenther Oettinger to include a meeting with human rights activists and raise the human rights situation in discussions with authorities during his visit in Turkmenistan.

Comments on the EBRD’s country strategy for Croatia, submitted by Zelena Akcija

Despite the progress made by Croatia towards EU accession, Zelena Akcija believes that there are a number of crucial environmental shortcomings that need to be addressed. In its country strategy and through its investments the EBRD can and should send a strong message to the Croatian government regarding these shortcomings.

Letter to European Commission regarding impacts of the D1 motorway Turany-Hubova

Bankwatch comments on the EBRD’s Capital Resources Review background material (2011-2015)

The EBRD invited for comments on the background material on its fourth Capital Resources Review. Further to our recent recommendations to the EBRD on improving its operations for the period 2011-2015 we believe that progress is being made in some areas, but that there are still several important issues that need particular attention.

Letter to EBRD raising unsolved concerns regarding the Tbilisi railway bypass project