Updates on the European Investment Bank

NGO comments on the EIB transport lending policy

Letter to the EIB regarding consultations on the EIB transport lending policy

On February 27, 2008 EIB responded to our letter. Download the response here (pdf).

Letter to the EBRD, EIB and EC regarding the Czech Operational Programme Transport for 2007-2013

Letter from Eco-sense to the European Commission regarding the Demir Kapija – Smokvica highway

Also read the following corespondence related to this letter (as pdf): Response from the European Commission regarding the letter from Eco-sense about the Demir Kapija- Smokvica highway dated February 5, 2008 Follow-up letter to the European Commission regarding the Demir Kapija – Smokvica highway dated February 12, 2008

Vlora demonstrators tell World Bank delegation to pull out of disputed power plant

Close to 3000 residents of Vlora, an Albanian city on the Adriatic coast, greeted the visit of representatives of the World Banks Inspection Panel with a clear plea – end World Bank credits for the EUR 110m thermal power plant that is part of a huge energy park development threatening the sensitive Vlora bay.

Vlora citizens’ road blockade stops construction work on energy projects for eighth day

The Civic Alliance for Protection of the Vlora Bay together with the Vlora Student Movement is now in the eighth day of protesting against construction of the Vlora thermo-power plant and a hydrocarbons terminal on a beach on the outskirts of the Albanian city located on the Adriatic coast. On December 25 a group of 30 people blocked the access road to the construction sites thus preventing further progress on both sites. Four days later, 10 protesters were arrested, including Eneid Hamzaj, the leader of the Vlora Student Movement.

Bankwatch Mail 34

In this issue: The more things change… * … the more they stay the same * Backing a loser: PPP never never land comes to CEE * Albania at the crossroads – how the IFIs could be doing so much more * Outbreak of winter silly season commentary on the EBRD * Recent Bankwatch publications

European Parliament passes resolution to end taxpayer support for fossil fuels projects

With a resounding majority (540 MEPs in favour), the European Parliament today passed a resolution on trade and climate change which calls for “the discontinuation of public support, via export credit agencies and public investment banks, for fossil fuel projects”. The step was widely welcomed by environmental and development NGOs campaigning on export credit agencies (ECAs) and the European Investment Bank (EIB).

NGO letter to the EIB regarding possible financing for the Belene NPP

Raising the bar on big dams: making the case for dam policy reform at the European Investment Bank

The European Investment Bank has been involved in a number of large dam projects in recent years, many of them in Africa. All could have been improved sometimes significantly so by more careful planning and better implementation standards. Despite making vague references to the recommendations of the World Commission on Dams, the EIB currently has no sector policy for dams.