Updates on the European Investment Bank

One Gazela, two Gazelas, three Gazelas… – EBRD AGM Issue Paper on the Gazela resettlement

The 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.

Financial intermediaries: Do economic, environmental and social benefits lie behind the big numbers? – EBRD AGM Issue Paper

In order to prevent the collapse of the banking sector in central and eastern Europe following the outbreak of economic crisis conditions in autumn 2008, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has provided a large number of loans to private banks in the region. Yet even though this form of lending is taking on ever greater importance at the EBRD, next to no concrete details about what it is achieving and who is benefiting from it exist for the public.

D1 motorway Phase I, Slovakia – EBRD AGM Issue Paper

Both the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank approved loans for the D1 motorway Phase I project in Slovakia, which seeks to link the economically wealthier western part of Slovakia with the less developed eastern part. The project is to be financed through a public-private partnership (PPP), which has been the cause of considerable controversy in Slovakia, as has the fact that the planned route impacts protected Natura 2000 areas.

Preliminary report on impacts on the Rojkovske Raselinisko Mire by the proposed motorway D1 Turany-Hubova, Slovakia

Illustrated report on the most significant impacts of the D1 motorway in Slovakia, prepared by Jan Topercer, commissioned by Friends of the Earth-CEPA and CEE Bankwatch Network.

South Ukraine Transmission Project – EBRD AGM Issue Paper

The 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.

Tbilisi Railway Bypass project – EBRD AGM Issue Paper

On 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.

Letter to EIB Sustainable Development Unit addressing deficiencies in the Hungarian scoping procedure for the Nabucco gas pipeline’s Environmental Impact Assessment

Letter to EBRD regarding the Sava river crossing, a new resettlement project in Serbia

Read more on the communities at the Sava river crossing also on our blog

Letter to EBRD president Thomas Mirow regarding the loan approval for the D1 motorway Phase 1, Slovakia

Bankwatch Mail 43

In this issue: Wise up! European Development Bank red herring masks critique of EIB’s external operations * The case for cyanide in Bulgaria’s gold mines kicked out * Lost in transition * New EU funds report and website * EU funds sinking in Latvia’s enduring crisis swamp * Charge of the electricity brigade against villagers in Ukraine * Will the World Bank be rewarded for business as usual or put to the test to stop climate-damaging development? * Belene in and out of the grip of Russia * IFI