Updates on the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

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

Some ways forward for the EBRD – NGO proposals for the EBRD Capital Resource Review 4

Even before the current economic crisis there were clear signs that the transition to a market economy in central and eastern Europe, which the EBRD is mandated to promote, is coming with a high social price tag attached. The EBRD’s own survey on transition in 2007 – at the height of the boom times – included the alarming finding from 29,000 respondents across the region that trust in society had plummeted since 1989.

Comments by Eco-sense on the EBRD’s draft country strategy for Macedonia

The comments propose a shift in the EBRD’s investment in Macedonia towards more sustainable modes of transport and renewable and energy efficiency projects.

EIB’s conclusion report on Bankwatch’s complaint regarding refused access to information on D1 motorway Slovakia

Bankwatch’s complaint concerned the inadequate appraisal of environmental risks connected with the Turany – Hubova section of the D1 motorway in Slovakia, the damage so far and further potential impacts on the Natura 2000 sites and habitats of Community importance. Our complaint is available in pdf here