Updates on the European Investment Bank

Bankwatch position paper on the Nabucco gas pipeline

The position paper outlines four reasons for not providing public funds for the Nabucco gas pipeline project (human rights, fossil fuels, energy efficiency and local benefits) and makes specific recommendations to EU institutions.

Updated NGO position paper on the EIB’s regional strategy for Central Asia

New ‘homes’ in Serbian temporary settlements are still far from acceptable

On 31 August 2009 the inhabitants of the Gazela informal settlement in Belgrade were resettled to temporary accommodation at four sites outside of Belgrade. After a visit conducted by partner group CEKOR in September which found a number of important issues needing to be addressed, Bankwatch carried out a follow-up fact-finding mission on 6-8 October 2009.

Letter to EIB regarding the bank’s Board discussion of the South Ukraine Transmission Project

The EIB is considering approval of the loan for Ukrenergo for the South Ukraine Transmission Project. Bankwatch member group NECU, as well as other concerned NGOs and individuals, have deep misgivings about the unexpected rush of the EIB in considering this project when currently its environmental impact assessment process is still ongoing according to EBRD and Ukrainian procedures, it is still far from being positively completed.

Complaint to EIB regarding refused access to information on D1 motorway Slovakia

Bankwatch’s complaint, submitted to EIB Complaints Mechanism, addresses the lack of disclosure of documents concerning the construction of the D1 Phase I Motorway in Slovakia. This complaint follows one submitted by Bankwatch member group CEPA, Slovakia dealing with the environmental aspects of the motorway’s construction.

Report from the Gazela resettlement fact-finding mission in October 2009

On 31 August 2009 the inhabitants of the Gazela informal settlement in Belgrade were resettled to temporary accommodation at four sites outside of Belgrade. After a visit conducted by partner group CEKOR in September which found a number of important issues needing to be addressed, Bankwatch carried out a follow-up fact-finding mission on 6-8 October 2009.

Fact-finding mission report on Corridor Vc motorway project, Bosnia and Herzegovina

This report details the findings from our second fact-finding mission on the Corridor Vc motorway in Bosnia and Herzegovina, carried out in September 2009. Since the last mission in March proposals for changes in the route have been approved by the government of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, which would avoid the problems at the tentative UNESCO World Heritage Sites Blagaj and Pocitelj.

Letter to EIB regarding a planned loan for ArcelorMittal

The letter by NGO coalition Global Action on Arcelor Mittal (GAAM), follows the discovery of EIB considerations of a loan for steel company ArcelorMittal and informs the EIB of ArcelorMittal’s extremely poor environmental, social and transparency record in many countries. As the worlds largest steel company ArcelorMittal could access financing from other sources, and there is no added value in providing a low-interest public loan to the company. GAAM and Bankwatch therefore urge the EIB not to approve any loan to ArcelorMittal in the foreseeable future.

Public consultations short-circuited for major Ukrainian power project, EBRD urged to stand up for communities and the environment

A major power transmission project in Ukraine that seeks a EUR 175 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to facilitate the export of electricity from Europe’s biggest nuclear power plant across protected nature sites in the south of Ukraine is violating the EBRD’s procedures on public consultations, according to Bankwatch member group National Ecological Centre of Ukraine (NECU).

Letter to EBRD regarding South Ukraine Transmission Project

The letter is drawing attention to a number of serious deficiencies surrounding the South Ukraine Transmission Project. The project is expected to be financed by both the EBRD and EIB, but the public consultations surrounding the project have been seriously tarnished. Construction of such transmission lines potentially affects the lives and everyday business of local people. Yet, as the document shows, their access to the project information is being restricted.