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.
Civil society appeal to Slovak government to stop reallocation of EU Funds to road building
February 23, 2011
Authorities in Slovakia are planning to reallocate EU funds initially destined for the support of education, science, employment, regional development, the fight against social exclusion as well as rail development in favour of disputable construction of motorways. (Similar moves are also planned in Poland and the Czech Republic.) 26 Slovakian environmental and social NGOs have called on their government and EU institutions to put a stop to the reallocation. According to the groups, the reallocation is contradictory to both national legislation and EU funds decision-making rules.
Civil society letter urging EC president Barroso to halt EU financing for Russian toll roads
February 23, 2011
A coalition of major Russian NGOs is urging President Barrosso to make sure that EU financing institutions halt their participation in toll motorway projects in Russia until there are serious improvements in the human rights and public participation situation associated with these projects.
Open letter requesting the Council of the European Union to implement the EC’s recommendations for Regional Policy
February 18, 2011
The General Affairs Council on Monday, February 21 will draw conclusions on the 5th cohesion report. On this occasion, Bankwatch and Friends of the Earth Europe remind EU member states and ministers attending the council of the importance of implementing the recommendations in the European Commission’s communication ‘Regional policy contributing to sustainable growth in Europe 2020’ (pdf).
Serbian shadow report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
February 9, 2011
Bankwatch’s Serbian member group Center for Ecology and Sustainable Development (CEKOR) has worked together with three Serbian human rights organisations on a shadow report complementing the country’s official statement to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Analysing the legal and factual status of Roma in Serbia, the shadow report draws heavily on examples from the Gazela bridge rehabilitation project in Belgrade.
Summary of independent environmental examination of the Moscow-St.Petersburg motorway project, section 15-58 kilometres (Khimki Forest)
February 1, 2011
The examination was initiated by a coalition of environmental NGOs and carried out by 18 experts in the field of environmental protection, environmental law, forestry, urban planning and transport development. It was handed over to Russian president Medvedev on February 1, 2011.
