Civil society groups welcome cancellation of Slovak D1 motorway PPP
September 3, 2010
Friends of the Earth CEPA (Slovakia) and CEE Bankwatch Network applaud today’s cancellation [1] of the 9 billion euros public-private partnership (PPP) for the first phase of the D1 motorway in Slovakia and urged the new government to change the project’s routing to avoid damaging the Mala Fatra and Velka Fatra National Parks.
Khimki Forest movement leader violently detained in Moscow
August 4, 2010
Yevgenia Chirikova, the leader of the Movement to Defend Khimki Forest, has today been forcibly detained by police in Moscow immediately after a press conference on the persecution of activists opposing the construction of a motorway through the Khimki Forest just outside Moscow. [1] At the time of writing she has been released after several hours of interrogation, but urged to come to Khimki’s police station tomorrow for another round of questioning.
Groups blast veiled decision-making at European Commission as mining industry revels in rejection of crucial Parliamentary resolution
July 7, 2010
Environmental organisations have today criticised Commissioner Janez Potocnik for heeding mining industry lobbyists over a democratically elected European Parliament, in failing to open public discussions and rejecting a resolution to ban the use of cyanide in mining processes throughout the European Union.
New report: EU funds must plug clean energy gap in central and eastern Europe
March 3, 2010
On the day that the European Commission launches its vision for 2020, its ‘Europe 2020 strategy’, a new report from CEE Bankwatch Network and Friends of the Earth Europe lays out how improved targeting of EU structural and cohesion billions for energy efficiency and renewables can get the EU – and particularly the new member states in the east – on track to meet and exceed emissions reduction targets for tackling climate change.
Transparency allergy reappears at EIB, crisis billions still cloaked in confidentiality
February 4, 2010
CEE Bankwatch Network today criticised the European Investment Bank (EIB) for adopting a new transparency policy that persists in keeping the final destination of billions of publicly backed money unknown to the public.
Chelopech gold mine plans frozen, campaigners call for cyanide leaching to be binned
January 26, 2010
An announcement from Dundee Precious Metals that it is freezing plans on its investment at the Chelopech gold and copper mine in central Bulgaria because of ongoing legal challenges has been welcomed by the Cyanide-free Bulgaria coalition.
Bulgarian parliament hears the anti-cyanide concerns of thousands
January 21, 2010
Today at the Bulgarian parliament’s Petitions Committee three public petitions related to controversial mining initiatives were heard, in a process described by ‘Cyanide Free Bulgaria’ campaigners as encouraging and not before time.
Concerns mount over cyanide rush in Bulgarian mining projects, European Commission urged to intervene
December 1, 2009
Two Bankwatch groups and the members of the Cyanide Free Bulgaria coalition outlined today at a press conference in Sofia the ongoing problematic issues hanging over the proposed introduction of controversial cyanide leaching at the Chelopech mining project and with the Bulgarian government’s handling of the environmental procedures for wider use of cyanide in mining projects across the country.
Violations at EBRD power lines project spark clashes between police and villagers in Ukraine
November 18, 2009
A project financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in the Odessa region of Ukraine has this week been the scene of clashes between 300 police officers and villagers resisting the routing of high voltage power lines through their village. The EUR 25.8 million Odessa High Voltage Grid Upgrade project is being implemented by Ukraine’s national electricity company Ukrenergo in violation of agreements with the EBRD, the international public development bank and backer of the project.
Via Baltica – Another landmark victory for Polands nature, environmentalists remain vigilant
October 21, 2009
Last night’s decision by the Polish Council of Ministers on a new routing for the Via Baltica expressway [1]has been welcomed by campaigners from CEE Bankwatch Network, BirdLife International, OTOP – BirdLife Poland and other environmental groups as major progress for the conservation of Poland’s unique nature and represents a significant step in the right direction towards the proper implementation of Polish and European environmental legislation.
