Latest country strategy dialogue

15 December 2008, Dushanbe, Tajikistan

In a consultation workshop, Matthieu Le Blan, head of Dushanbe RO, discussed the new draft Tajik country strategy (CS) with representatives of local civil society, including environmental and women’s NGOs and microfinance organisations. During the meeting civil society participants expressed views about a number of issues ranging from the development of microfinance and small business, agriculture and energy efficiency to women’s rights. Civil society participants expressed regret that there is no Russian version of the full draft CS. Still, they appreciated the EBRD’s initiative to organise the workshop to make sure that local needs and concerns are taken into account in the preparation of the new CS for Tajikistan.

5 December 2008, Yerevan, Armenia

The EBRD Board of Directors visited Armenia from 3 to 5 December. The delegation of Board Directors, the head of Yerevan RO, Michael Weinstein, and Angela Sax, Associate Banker, met with the representatives of Civil Society Institute, Institute for Democracy and Human Rights, EcoLur, Corporate Governance Centre, Transparency Armenia, Environmental Public Advocacy Centre and Economic Development and Research Centre. The issues discussed ranged from human rights, democracy and civil society development to environmental and social matters. Civil society participants raised their concerns about transparency in government and businesses in the country. Environmental NGOs also expressed their concern regarding the lack of substantial NGO involvement in the decision making by the government on environmental issues.

2 December 2008, Tbilisi, Georgia

A delegation of the Board of Directors of the EBRD visited Georgia from 1 to 3 December. Together with Mike Davey, the Director for Caucasus, Moldova and Belarus and the head of Tbilisi RO, the Board Directors delegation met representatives of Human Rights Information and Documentation Centre, Caucasus Environmental NGO Network, Regional Environmental Centre Caucasus, Green Alternative, Association of Georgian Microfinance Organisations and Transparency Georgia. Georgian civil society and the Board discussed a number of issues, including human rights situation and environmental and sustainable development issues in large-scale projects, such as BTC pipeline. Civil society representatives also expressed concerns about transparency of donors engagement in post conflict Georgia and overall investment climate in the country.

20 October 2008, Belgrade, Serbia

The EBRD Board of Directors visited Serbia from 20 to 22 October. Together with Hildegard Gacek, Head of EBRD’s Belgrade RO, and Biljana Radonjic Ker-Lindsay, NGO Relations Manager, the Directors met with the representatives of the following non-governmental and other civil society organisations: Transparency Serbia, Environmental Ambassadors, Association of Business Women of Serbia, European Movement in Serbia and Centre for Ecology and Sustainable Development (CEKOR). The CSOs and EBRD representatives discussed a number of issues, including anti-corruption activities, economic empowerment of women, environmental issues and Serbia’s accession to the EU. Resettlement issues and concerns related to the reconstruction of the Gazela Bridge were also discussed.

14 October 2008, Yerevan, Armenia

As part of the preparation of the draft Armenian country strategy (CS), Peter Moore, Principal Environmental Specialist of the Environment and Sustainability Department, visited Armenia from 14 to 17 October. During the visit, Peter Moore met with the representatives of the following Armenian civil society organisations: Women's Rights Centre, Environmental Public Advocacy Center, Caucasus Environmental NGO Network and Transparency International Armenia. The issues discussed ranged from gender and human rights and environmental legislation reforms in the country, to biodiversity and protected areas and transparency issues. The need for more public participation in decision-making was emphasised by civil society representatives.

19 September 2008, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

As part of their visit to Russia’s regions of Sverdlovskaya and Leningradskaya from 14 to 20 September 2008, a delegation of the Board of Directors met with the representatives of civil society in St Petersburg on 19 September. Accompanied by Bruno Balvanera, Head of EBRD’s St Petersburg RO, and Biljana Radonjic Ker-Lindsay, NGO Relations Manager, the Directors met with the representatives of leading NGOs and other civil society organisations from St Petersburg. The following organisations took part in the meeting: NGOs Bellona, ECOM, Friends of the Baltic and Citizen’s watch, policy research institutes Baltic Fund of Nature and Strategy Centre and a citizens’ pressure group Save Yuntolovo. In the course of the discussion, CSO representatives shared their views and concerns with the Board on a number of policy and project related issues ranging from the freedom of speech and independence of media and the position of NGOs in Russia; to public access to information in large-scale projects and inconsistency in environmental legislations in the country. CSOs also raised issues regarding the transparency of the EBRD and the Bank’s involvement in large public private partnerships in Russia, including the Western High Speed Diameter project.

19 September 2008, Bratislava, Slovak Republic

The EBRD Board of Directors visited Slovak Republic from 17 to 19 September. Together with Francois Lecavalier, Head of EBRD's Bratislava RO, the Directors met with a representative of the Slovak think tank Fair-Play Alliance and local media. Civil society and EBRD representatives discussed transparency issues in the region.

24 April 2008, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

The EBRD Board of Directors visited Turkmenistan from 23 to 26 April. Accompanied by Tony Myron, Head of EBRD's Ashgabat RO, the Directors met with representatives of the following Turkmen non-governmental organisations: Counterpart Consortium Turkmenistan, International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL), Keik Okara and Public Non- Profit Centre Bosfor. The NGOs and EBRD representatives discussed a number of issues, including education, legal reforms, democracy and human rights and youth issues.

21 April 2008, Dushanbe, Tajikistan

From 20 to 23 April, the EBRD Board of Directors visited Tajikistan. Together with Matthieu Le Blan, Head of EBRD's Dushanbe RO, the Directors met with representatives of the following Tajik non-governmental organisations: The Bureau of Human Rights and Rule of Law and Youth Eco-Centre. The NGOs and EBRD representatives exchanged views on various environmental, social and human rights issues.