Updates on the European Investment Bank

Letter to EBRD on human rights abuses by Turkmenistan against environmental activist Andrey Zatoka

As the EBRD reviews its country strategy for Turkmenistan, the letter requests the bank to bear in mind the serious human rights violations occurring in Turkmenistan, as exemplified by Mr. Zatokas case.

Submission for the EIB Transparency Policy consultation – second round

Taking advantage of the second opportunity within the policy revision process, Bankwatch, Counter Balance and the Global Transparency Inititative submitted new commments and recommendations for the EIB’s Transparency Policy.

Letter to EIB regarding a planned loan for ArcelorMittal in Brazil

A new loan of EUR 130 million is now due for Board approval on 15th December for ArcelorMittal’s activities in Brazil. Given the company’s poor environmental record and unsatisfactory implementation of improvement projects financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Bankwatch urges the EIB not to approve this new project.

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.

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.