Updates on the European Investment Bank

EIB response regarding violent clashes in the Khimki forest connected to the Moscow – St.Petersburg motorway

Khimki Forest movement leader violently detained in Moscow

Yevgenia Chirikova, the leader of the Movement to Defend Khimki Forest, has today been forcibly detained by police in Moscow immediately after a press conference on the persecution of activists opposing the construction of a motorway through the Khimki Forest just outside Moscow. [1] At the time of writing she has been released after several hours of interrogation, but urged to come to Khimki’s police station tomorrow for another round of questioning.

EIB complaints office confirms shortcomings on Belgrade resettlement

After more than three months delay, the Complaints Office of the European Investment Bank recently released its concluding investigations (pdf) into the banks involvement in the resettlement of 175 predominately Roma families from underneath the Gazela bridge in Belgrade.

Letter calling on European Commission not to grant Community Guarantee for Moscow-St.Petersburg motorway through Khimki Forest

Letter to EBRD and EIB regarding violent clashes in the Khimki forest connected to the Moscow-St.Petersburg motorway

On the morning of July 22, members of civil society were attacked by scores of unidentified assailants. The police, called to the scene by the protestors, chose not to interfere. Reports from the ground indicate that clashes continued before the passively observing police eventually arrested local activists.

Letter to EIB and EBRD regarding the logging of trees in the protected Khimki Forest

Conclusion Report by EIB Complaints Office on Bankwatch’s complaint regarding Gazela bridge rehabilitation project Belgrade, Serbia

The report confirms Bankwatchs allegations that EIB did not pay sufficient attention during the project assessment: the severe social impact of the project should have led the EIBs competent services to exercise a cautious and targeted social assessment with a view to pro-actively identifying (and therefore promptly addressing) the major social concerns during the appraisal of the projects, while EIB documents do not contain any documental evidence of an appropriate identification of the social issues at stake.

Letter to EIB denouncing misconduct of Belgrade authorities in the Sava crossing resettlement process, Belgrade

The protest letter, sent by the Regional Centre for Minorities and Bankwatch member group Center for Ecology and Sustainable Development (CEKOR), describes recent incidents of threats and assault on families to be resettled to allow for a road construction. Belgrade authorities have apparently not improved their approach following the poor Gazela resettlement process. The letter calls upon the EIB to demand proper resettlement preparation and planning, including the participation of affected families.

Can the international financial institutions do more to support new renewables and energy efficiency in south-east Europe?

As Europe is greening its economy and gearing up to decarbonise by 2050, most south-east European (SEE) countries still view energy efficiency and renewable energy as greens on the side of their main dish. Coal power and large hydropower are still the favourites on the menu, as they depend on indigenous resources and keep energy import dependency lower.

Comments on the EIB’s transport lending policy (updated)

The EIBs transport policy is particularly important considering the importance of transport investments in the EIB’s portfolio, as well as the transport sectors rising CO2 emissions in the EU. Bankwatch’s comments argue for a clear policy orientation towards greenhouse gas reduction in the bank’s transport lending and contrasts the EIB’s current EIB lending figures with its own claims of emphasising climate considerations.