EBRD President meets EU leaders in Brussels

During his first visit to Brussels as President, Sir Suma Chakrabarti discussed cooperation with European Union institutions

The impact of the Eurozone on emerging Europe, the EBRD’s first investments in the Mediterranean and cooperation with the European Union institutions topped the agenda of the EBRD President’s visit to Brussels.

The President of the EBRD visited the EU’s political centre for the first time after taking over the helm of the multilateral development bank in July 2012.

Sir Suma Chakrabarti held discussions with the European Commission President Jose Emmanuel Barroso, the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz. He also met Vice President of the European Commission and EBRD Governor Olli Rehn, the Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule, and the Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs Laszlo Andor.

His meetings focused on excellent relations between the EBRD and the European Union and ways of deepening these links even further.

The President also discussed the historic expansion of the EBRD into the southern and eastern Mediterranean region. The EBRD is now investing in Tunisia, Morocco and Jordan and expects to start operations in Egypt shortly. The EBRD is playing a key role in the European and wider international response to the recent political events in the Middle East and North Africa.  

The other key issue was the economic situation in Europe, including the situation in emerging Europe, and the measures being taken by both institutions to help countries get back to growth. President Chakrabarti referred specifically to the situation in south-eastern Europe and his particular concerns for this region because of the impact of the continued uncertainty in the Eurozone.

Last updated 19 September 2012

Anthony Williams
Head of Media Relations - Tel: +44 20 7338 6997

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