Updates on the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Letter to DG Environment regarding the Nabucco pipeline project

The letter to European Commission, DG Environment raises political and environmental concerns related to the Nabucco pipeline, among others the human rights situation in Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. On September 8, 2009 we received a response from DG Environment. Download it a pdf here.

Risky deal, risky business: the Khudoni hydropower plant, Georgia

This report reviews documents provided by the Georgian government and the World Bank, and a number of independent research reports regarding the Georgian power sector and highlights the concerns of the local people towards the Khudoni HPP as expressed during the public hearings organized in Svaneti in summer 2008.

Media briefing on the Nabucco gas pipeline

Letter to EBRD regarding results from a Bankwatch fact finding mission to the Kapan mine, Armenia

On September 28, 2009 we received a response from EBRD. Download it as pdf here.

Bankwatch Mail 41

In this issue: Environmental navigation can steer paths through EU funds storm * EU shadow banking sanctioned by the EU * EIB transport lending off course thanks to climate and biodiversity blind spots * Crisis loans set to dig more holes in Serbia * Croatia to become dumping ground of Europe? * Real costs of nukes in central and eastern Europe unleashed * The road to cyanide gold is paved with abuses

Letter to EBRD President Thomas Mirow following the EBRD AGM 2009

The follow up letter after the bank’s AGM 2009 sums up the issues discussed and reminds Thomas Mirow of a number of open questions to be addressed before next year’s AGM in Zagreb. On June 17, 2009 we received a response from President Mirow. Download pdf here.

Letter to EIB regarding Gazela resettlement process

In this letter CEKOR requests the EIB to send a delegation for a meeting with representatives of the Roma community from Gazela, interested Roma and non-Roma CSOs and representatives of the Roma national council and to thus establish consultative and sustainable process of the resettlement. On June 17, 2009 we have received a response from EIB, which can be downloaded as pdf here.

Letter to EBRD inquiring about the Almaty-Issyk-Kul road construction project in Kyrgyz Republic

On September 28, 2009 we have received a response from EBRD announcing the Almaty-Issyk-Kul road construction project (Kyrgyz Republic) not further being considered. Download it here.

High voltage power lines, Ukraine – EBRD AGM Issue Paper

In April 2009 the National Energy Company of Ukraine Ukrenergo announced plans to construct two new high voltage transmission lines with hoped for financial support from the EBRD. A closer look at the background details reveals information that neither the project sponsor nor the EBRD provided. Based on them, it seems that in close cooperation with Ukrenergo the EBRD will rather improve Ukraine’s capacity to export electricity from its nuclear blocks under the smokescreen of serving the local needs.

Letter to DG Environment Infringement Unit regarding breaches of EU law in the Chelopech mining project

On June 17, 2009 we have received a response from DG Environment Infringement Unit. Download it as pdf here.