Latest country strategy dialogue

20 October, 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.

19 September, 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.

29 November 2007, Chisinau, Moldova

The EBRD Board of Directors visited Moldova from 28 November to 1 December 2007. Together with Francis Delaey, Head of EBRD's Chisinau RO, the Directors met with representatives of the following Moldovan non-governmental organisations: Institute for Public Policy, Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, Transparency International Moldova, Soros Foundation Moldova, IDIS Viitorul, Independent Journalism Centre and Ecological Movement of Moldova. The NGOs and EBRD representatives exchanged views on a number of issues, including media freedom, anti-corruption activities and human trafficking, judicial reform status as well as environmental policies of the authorities. The NGOs also learnt about the assistance EBRD and other IFIs are providing to Moldovan Government.

27 November 2007, Budapest, Hungary

A delegation of the Board of Directors of the EBRD visited Hungary from 25 November to 28 November 2007. Together with Zsuzsanna Hargitai, Head of EBRD's Budapest RO, the Directors met with political analysts and sociologists from the Institute of Sociology, TARKI and Political Capital. The focus of the discussion was the perception of the results of almost two decades of transition by the Hungarian people, its benefits and drawbacks regarding living standards.

25 September 2007, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

A delegation of the Board of Directors of the EBRD visited Mongolia from 24 - 29 September. Together with John Chomel-Doe, EBRD’s Director for Mongolia, the Directors met with representatives of the following Mongolian non-governmental organisations: Open Society Forum, Mongolian Nature and Environment Consortium, Mongolia Nature Protection Coalition, Zorig Foundation/Advancing Democracy and Globe International. The NGOs and EBRD representatives exchanged views on a number of issues, including transparency and fairness of mining sector deals (particularly the large Oyu Tolgoi and Tavan Tolgoi projects); pollution deriving from small scale artisal mining and matters related to corruption in health and education sectors. The NGOs also learnt about the assistance EBRD and other IFIs are providing to Mongolian Government in the mining sector development.

21 June 2007, Kiev, Ukraine

A delegation of the EBRD Board of Directors visited Ukraine from 17 – 23 June. Together with Kamen Zahariev, EBRD’s Director for Ukraine, the Board Directors met with the representatives of the following Ukrainian non-governmental organisations: Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting, NGO "Anticorruption Committee", National Ecological Center of Ukraine (CEE Bankwatch), Green World (Friends of the Earth), Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union, Civil Committee for National Security of Ukraine and International Renaissance Foundation. The NGO participants in the discussion acknowledged generally positive developments in economy and democratic processes. However, they also pointed out to a number of shortcomings, such as corruption, insufficient transparency and weak rule of law. The NGOs were also particularly interested in the EBRD’s role in improving energy efficiency and renewable energy in Ukraine.

24 April 2007, Zagreb, Croatia

In preparation for the review of the Croatia Country Strategy, a delegation of the EBRD Board of Directors visited Croatia from 23 - 27 April 2007. Together with Charlotte Ruhe, EBRD's Director for Croatia, the Board of Directors met with representatives of civil society and non-governmental organisations. The representatives of the Center for Peace Studies, Transparency International and Zelena Akcija (Green Action, Friends of the Earth Croatia) attended the meeting. Discussion focused on concerns regarding a proposal for a new data protection act of the Republic of Croatia, large backlog of court cases, development of civil society and public-private partnerships in the country as well as the need to improve public participation in decision making on projects carried out by local authorities.