Comments to the EC’s plans to increase EIB operations and commence ERBD operations in North Africa
March 23, 2011
The European Commission’s announced plans to give the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction leading roles in promoting democratisation and development in the Southern Mediterranean region. Counter Balance and Bankwatch are concerned that both institutions first need to demonstrate their ability to bring environmentally sustainable and socially positive development impacts. We also call for an immediate investigation into the EIB financing to the Mediterranean so far, to examine whether corrupted elites have benefited from the bank’s loans.
Civil society concerns about EBRD expansion into North Africa
March 23, 2011
As a result of the recent revolts in the Southern Mediterranean, the European Commission proposed March 8 that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development be given a leading role in promoting democratisation and development in the region. But NGOs argue that the EBRD’s mandate should not be expanded for the foreseeable future.
Bankwatch comments on EBRD country level transition indicators
March 22, 2011
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s transition indicators for some time already were rather disconnected from the situation in the EBRD’s countries of operation. Our comments are premised on the point that the ultimate goal of transition is not only a market economy, but an environmentally sustainable and socially just one.
EU public funds for “securing” dirty coal and nuclear energy Ukraine transmission lines background paper
March 15, 2011
Over the past few years, a series of strategies, agreements and loans have brought the EU and Ukraine into closer cooperation on perpetuating nuclear and carbon-intensive energy infrastructure and generation, with international financial institutions (IFIs) brokering the deals.
Comments to draft EBRD country strategy for Ukraine
March 14, 2011
Bankwatch and Friends of the Earth Europe statement on the future Cohesion Policy post-2013
March 11, 2011
Responding to the European Commission’s conclusions of the fifth report on economic, social and territorial cohesion, the statement by Bankwatch and Friends of the Earth Europe responds to the questions: How could the Europe 2020 Strategy and cohesion policy be brought closer together at EU, national and sub-national levels? Should the scope of the development and investment partnership contract go beyond cohesion policy and, if so, what should it be?
Bankwatch contribution to the public consultation process regarding the external dimension of the EU energy policy
March 7, 2011
The European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) strategy paper 2007-2013 for the eastern neighbourhood region involves contradictory strategic objectives. The first of these is sustainable development and environmental protection, which underpins all EU legislation and policies. However, the second priority, the need to ensure the diversification and security of energy supplies to the EU, emphasises the need for further extraction and transportation of the Caspian Seas oil and gas resources to Europe, and thus prioritises it over the development of an environmentally friendly energy sector within the region.
EU funds briefing: future pre-accession assistance post-2013
March 1, 2011
Complaint regarding the EIB loan to Sostanj lignite power plant TES6
February 28, 2011
The complaint, filed with the European Investment Bank by Focus Association for Sustainable Development (SI) calls on the bank to withdraw its approval for the project. The complaint addresses the following aspects: premature disbursement of funds failure to assess the project’s compatibility with the 2050 climate targets misleading claims that TEŠ 6 is only a replacement and not an expansion missing clear governmental support to the project
Bankwatch position on the review of the European Neighbourhood Policy
February 25, 2011
The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) gives countries outside the EU the perspective and opportunity to move beyond cooperation to a significant degree of integration. But when it comes to the eastern European neighbourhood partner countries, the assumption that political and social rights will flow and develop as an automatic consequence of economic liberalisation, is only that – an assumption.
