Letter to EIB requesting urgent information on Gazela resettlement
September 2, 2009
On Monday, August 31st, the community living in the slum under the Gazela bridge was physically resettled. The City of Belgrade claims that a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) was approved, but the resettled PAPs have not seen the RAP and have not been consulted. Bankwatch and CEKOR are asking the EIB to provide information on the resettlement process and to not disburse the loan for the Gazela Bridge rehabilitation project until it is assured that a sustainable and adequate solution for those resettled is found.
Letter to EBRD requesting urgent information on Gazela resettlement
September 2, 2009
On Monday, August 31st, the community living in the slum under the Gazela bridge was physically resettled. The City of Belgrade claims that a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) was approved, but the resettled PAPs have not seen the RAP and have not been consulted. Bankwatch and CEKOR are asking the EBRD to provide information on the resettlement process and the EBRD’s opinion on further developments. On September 8, 2009 we received EBRD’s response regarding involuntary Gazela resettlement. Download it as pdf here.
Comments on the draft EBRD property sector strategy
September 1, 2009
These comments on the EBRDs new draft property sector strategy are primarily concerned with the environmental and social impact of the banks investments in the sector. Bankwatch and Green Istria would like to see the investments being targeted at projects that will clearly leave ordinary people and the environment better off, particularly in the current crisis context, and where the EBRD adds clear value compared to private sector investors.
Letter to EC regarding a request for EIB emergency funding by European airlines
August 28, 2009
The European Regions Airline Association (ERA) has approached the European Commission with a request for the EIB to make available financing for airlines in the context of the current crisis. In their letter, CEE Bankwatch Network, together with WWF-UK, AirportWatch and European Federation for Transport and Environment urge the European Commission to refuse such a bail-out for the aviation industry with its high-carbon intensity and overcapacity.
Eco-sense comments to the new revised EIA study for the Demir Kapija-Smokvica highway
August 26, 2009
The comments are written in Macedonian and can be downloaded from Eco-sense’s website. Download Eco-sense comments to the new revised EIA study for the Demir Kapija-Smokvica highway
Complaint to European Ombudsman against the EIB for non-disclosure of the Framework Agreement with Tajikistan
August 21, 2009
The complaint regards the refusal of the European Investment Bank (EIB) to disclose the Framework Agreement concluded between the EIB and Tajikistan signed on 11 February 2009.
Via Baltica update – destruction continues in Natura 2000 sites
August 10, 2009
As construction plans for several other controversial sections of the motorway proceed at high speed, another Natura 2000 site – the Knyszyn Forest – finds itself in danger and with it the habitats of at least 15 bird species and mammals like wolf, lynx and the European bison. CEE Bankwatch Network and the Polish Society for the Protection of the Birds (OTOP/BirdLife Poland) urge the European Commission to call on Poland to halt these road works until appropriate European environmental legislation is respected.
Letter to EBRD president Thomas Mirow regarding EBRD’s role in the Nabucco pipeline project
August 7, 2009
Following ambivalent messages from the EBRD leadership, CEE Bankwatch Network and Crude Accountability request clarification on the bank’s intentions regarding the controversial Nabucco gas pipeline project. On August 25, 2009 we received a response from President Thomas Mirow. Download it here.
Comments on EIB Complaint Mechanism Policy under revision
July 30, 2009
The document offers suggestions for revisions of the EIB’s Complaint Mechanism Policy, covering the scope of the mechanism, complaint procedures, stakeholders’ engagement, publication and reporting and data protection, as well as the conceptual framework and objective of the mechanism.
Comments on EIB Transparency & Public Disclosure Policy under revision
July 30, 2009
The document offers suggestions for revisions of the EIB’s Transparency & Public Disclosure Policies, including both general and detailed comments on both policies, among others on intermediated loans, publications vs. disclosure, corporate governance, stakeholders engagement and the policy framework.