Counter Balance statement on the Commission proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and the Council granting a EU guarantee to the EIB against losses under loans and guarantees for projects outside the EU
Publication | 9 June, 2010Given an array of evidence (described in this letter) that the EIB is not yet suited for a development role, and taking into account the increased onus within the Decision on development, Counter Balance strongly opposes the recommendations of the Decision that the EIB receives the €2bn optional mandate for a new climate mandate, increase its overall investments, extends the range of financial instruments offered, and undertake concessional lending by mixing EIB money with EU grants.
Read moreBankwatch Mail 45
Publication | 8 June, 2010In this issue: Commission seeking to boost EIB development lending despite failures and lack of details * EU Budget review missing in action * Developments in development lending – what Lisbon means for EIB lending outside Europe * A non-meeting of minds once again at the EIB’s annual meeting * EU Funds: More light equals fewer shades of grey * Fossil farce a cure for Greek tragedy?
Read moreLetter to EIB governors on the occasion of the bank’s 52nd annual meeting
Publication | 27 May, 2010The EIB’s annual meeting remains off limits for NGOs in contrast to the often fruitful discussions allowed with the staff and governing bodies of institutions like the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. This in mind, CEE Bankwatch Network and Counter Balance: Challenging the European Investment Bank have written to the EIB’s governors ahead of their 52nd annual meeting in Luxembourg.
Read moreBankwatch Mail 44
Publication | 12 May, 2010In this issue: EBRD own goal on coal will under-mine clean energy ambitions * Croatia: land of sun, sea and contradictory strategies * Sustainable energy mischief in Ukraine * Mining’s winners and losers on show in new film * Hopes and more fears in Central Asia * More sustainable development pipedreams? BTC shows how not to do Nabucco * Post-conflict aid to Georgia: mission accomplished or fait accompli?
Read moreSouth Ukraine Transmission Project – EBRD AGM Issue Paper
Publication | 10 May, 2010The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is considering lending EUR 175 million to the National Energy Company of Ukraine, Ukrenergo, for implementing the South Ukraine Transmission Project. An equal amount of financing was approved by the EIB in October 2009. The project foresees construction of a new 750 kV power transmission line, two 330kV double circuit diversions, and modernisation of an existing 330/220/110 kV substation.
Read moreTbilisi Railway Bypass project – EBRD AGM Issue Paper
Publication | 10 May, 2010On March 9, 2010, a loan for the Tbilisi Railway Bypass Project, initiated by the Georgian Railway company, was approved by the EBRD. The main goal of this project, rated category A by the EBRD, is to construct a new section of railway that bypasses the central part of Tbilisi in order to avoid the transit of hazardous freight (such as oil and oil products) through the middle of the city. While this main goal is welcomed, there are several strong concerns that undermine the project goals and may cause a serious threat to Tbilisis population.
Read moreOdessa High Voltage Grid Upgrade, Ukraine – EBRD AGM Issue Paper
Publication | 10 May, 2010In December 2005 the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) approved a EUR 25.8 million loan for the Odessa High Voltage Grid Upgrade project for the state-owned company Ukrenergo. The project, that foresaw construction of a 124 kilometre long 330 kV transmission line between the Adjalyk and Usatove substations in the Odessa region and modernisation of the substations, was Ukrenergos first experience with the international financial institutions, and inaugurated a series of further such investments.
Read moreWhat we still have to learn about Nabucco – EBRD AGM Issue Paper
Publication | 10 May, 2010Although the Nabucco gas pipeline is still nothing more than an idea on the drawing board it has attracted unprecedented political support and managed to swallow millions of euros of EU taxpayer’s money without an assessment of its effect on transit and gas supplying countries. CEE Bankwatch network urges the EBRD to properly assess all impacts it may have on societies and the environment and to consider financing alternative ways to ensure energy security, namely by energy efficiency measures.
Read moreOne Gazela, two Gazelas, three Gazelas… – EBRD AGM Issue Paper on the Gazela resettlement
Publication | 10 May, 2010The removal and resettlement of the informal Gazela settlement from beneath the Gazela Bridge on highway Corridor X over the Sava River in Belgrade’s downtown took place in August 2009. Despite the involvement of international financial institutions (the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank) and foreign development agencies (the European Agency for Reconstruction and the UK Department for International Development), the resettlement has not brought satisfactory results.
Read more