Letter to Varel Freeman, First vice president of banking sector in EBRD

Advocacy letter    |    9 April 2008

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Dear Mr. Freeman,

Very recently I have learned that you are planning to visit my country, Macedonia, to discuss energy projects.

This information was published at the following website (in Macedonian).

The article also indicated that the EBRD may be interested in financing the AMBO pipeline.

At the EBRD AGM that took place last year in Kazan, AMBO pipeline was discussed with the NGO present. On that occasion the head of the Natural Resources department Kevin Bortz remarked that:

• EBRD has not been invited to any negotiations, it is not actively speaking to any sponsors
• If EBRD was contacted and started considering the process, the due diligence process according to EBRD standards would be applied

Has anything changed since the last year and made EBRD consider this project?

As an organization striving for environmental protection in Macedonia, and promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy, we would highly recommend the EBRD not to consider financing AMBO.

I attach our issue paper from 2007, in which we outlined the main problematic and unsolvable issues around the pipeline, passing through 3 countries in the Balkan region, and I would very much appreciate if you could take our concerns into account.

Last but not least, if you are visiting my country after April 20, would you be so kind and inform me of the possibility to organise a meeting with me on this topic?

Sincerely,
Ana Colovic
National coordinator for CEE Bankwatch Network

Center for environmental research and information
Eco-sense
11 Oktomvri 125/12
Skopje, Macedonia
ana AT bankwatch.org
www.ekosvest.org.mk
www.bankwatch.org

On April 14, 2008 EBRD sent a following response

Dear Mrs Colovic,

Thanks for your email.

Varel Freeman, the FVP of the Bank is away on business and asked me to respond to your email.

As you probably know, the EBRD is not involved in the AMBO project. What Kevin Bortz, director, Natural Resources team told you last year at the NGO meeting in Kazan is still the case, and I can confirm that the situation remains unchanged.

You requested a meeting with Mr Freeman. Unfortunately, his schedule is very busy and can not be changed, but I am happy to meet you in Skopje.
Pls contact Elena Urumovska in our office in Skopje and she will be happy to arrange the discussion at a mutually convenient time.

Best Regards,

Peter Reiniger
Business Group Director;
Central Europe, Western Balkans and Telecommunications