Updates on the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Report from visit to new Roma settlements in Belgrade, 11.02.2010

During a recent CEKOR fact finding mission 3 settlements were visited – Makis in Cukarica municipality, Kijevo in Rakovica municipality, and Varos in Mladenovac municipality. The report summarises the still problematic situation in the new settlements and offers specific recommendations related to leaking and sinking containers, electricity, health care and ID documents, employment and more.

Letter to the EBRD asking for investigation into alleged irregularities regarding the Gazela resettlements

Letter to the EBRD regarding the need for a satisfactory Stakeholder Engagement Plan for ArcelorMittal Temirtau

Report from fact-finding mission on Corridor Vc motorway, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 23 – 25 February 2010

On 23-25 February 2010 Bankwatchs Balkan and EBRD Co-ordinators together with colleagues from the Banja Luka-based Center for Environment and Sarajevo-based Ekotim undertook a third visit regarding the Corridor Vc motorway in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

EBRD response to comments on the Tbilisi railway bypass project

Chelopech gold mine plans frozen, campaigners call for cyanide leaching to be binned

An announcement from Dundee Precious Metals that it is freezing plans on its investment at the Chelopech gold and copper mine in central Bulgaria because of ongoing legal challenges has been welcomed by the Cyanide-free Bulgaria coalition.

Letter accompanying Bankwatch’s comments on the European Commission’s Communication on public-private partnerships

Bankwatch’s policy comments on public-private partnerships are available here.

Bankwatch comments on the European Commission’s Communication on PPPs

Bankwatch is concerned that public-private partnerships in infrastructure are being heavily promoted in central and eastern Europe (CEE) even though the evidence from the use of such models so far, both in the region and in western Europe is mixed or sometimes absent.

Bulgarian parliament hears the anti-cyanide concerns of thousands

Today at the Bulgarian parliament’s Petitions Committee three public petitions related to controversial mining initiatives were heard, in a process described by ‘Cyanide Free Bulgaria’ campaigners as encouraging and not before time.

Response by Georgian Railways regarding the Tbilisi railway bypass project