Updates on the European Investment Bank

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.

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.

CEE Bankwatch Network input for the EBRD transport sector evaluation

CEE Bankwatch Network’s inputs into the EBRDs evaluation of its work in the transport sector – an important sector but one which is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions. As well as commenting on individual projects Bankwatch is calling on the EBRD to dramatically reduce investments in new motorways, restrict aviation investments to safety measures and air traffic management, and ensure that railway restructuring does not result in disincentives for its use such as higher prices. We are also concerned that the transition indicators used by the EBRD concentrate on

Bankwatch Mail 42

In this issue: Disclosure policy review – A glass of information half full or half empty? * Bank ‘panglosses’ over the facts with new Georgian partnership strategy * EBRD, EIB culpable of policy violations in resettling Belgrade Roma * Heat rising on international public lenders to come clean for the climate * ČEZ chez the EIB – It’s invite only to the black masque energy security fundraiser * IMF’s pro-cyclical brakes pile on the misery across central and eastern Europe * The silence of the scams no more

Bankwatch input to the European Commission’s consultation on a sustainable future for transport

In our consultation input we call for an integrated design of the future transport policy of the EU. The development of the transport sector needs to be placed in a wider context and contribute to the harmonization of conditions between rail, road, waterways as well as air traffic.

Complaint against the EIB regarding maladministration in the Gazela resettlement process

The complaint concerns the European Investment Banks failure to adhere to its own transparency and social standards in the Gazela Bridge Rehabilitation project in the Republic of Serbia. It has been sent simultaneously to the European Ombudsman.

Letter to EBRD regarding Gazela resettlement

Letter to EBRD regarding possible damaging of Khimki forest by the Moscow – St. Petersburg highway

On October 27, 2009 we received EBRD’s response. Download it here.

Letter to EBRD regarding the planned routing of the Moscow – St.Petersburg motorway

A letter to the EBRD regarding the plans to route the Moscow – St.Petersburg motorway through the Khimki Forest Park, a protected natural area and a habitat for elks, boars and other wild animals and a unique wildlife area in the heavily built up Moscow region. The letter poses a number of questions concerning public participation, environmental impact, freedom of speech for those opposing the project, etc. and calls on the EBRD not to finance the project.