EcoLur
The EBRD annual meeting took place in Istanbul on 9-11 May participated also by Armenian representatives. EBRD has operated actively within recent years and called 2012 as one of the most successful years with signing a total of 15 transactions worth €94 million. “The EBRD had a successful year in the country in 2012, signing a total of 15 transactions worth €94 million,” says the country operation description for Armenia.
Nevertheless, unlike last years the official delegation of Armenia didn’t make any presentation and didn’t present its viewpoint on EBRD strategy implementation in Armenia, which was adopted in 2012. It remained unclear why the delegation arrived in Istanbul and what kind of problems were solved.
The public sector was much more active. A special program was drawn up for the civil society, which was traditionally closed to ensure freedom of expressions and open exchange of opinions. The participants of the meeting were as follows: EBRD Director Suma Chakrabarti, Vice-President, Policy and Managing Director, Hans Peter Lankes, Managing Director, Director of Environment and Sustainability Department Alistair Clark, Alan Rousso - Managing Director for External Action and Political Affairs and other specialists. The public sector was represented by CEE Bankwatch Network, NGOs from the countries of Western, Eastern and Central Europe, Central Asia, Caucasus, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and USA.
Armenian civil society had two representatives – The President of the Association for Young Environmental Lawyers and Economists Erik Grigoryan and EcoLur NGO President Inga Zarafyan.
Erik Grigoryan was a participant in the roundtable discussion entitled “EBRD and social media: opportunities and limitations for fostering EBRD-CSO dialogue.”
EcoLur presented three problems connected with EBRD investments. At the meeting “EBRD’s approach to energy and natural resources management” EcoLur made a presentation dedicated to Amulsar project. The article entitled “Armenia gold mining problems cast shadow over renewed EBRD financing” dedicated to Deno Gold Mining Company was compiled from the materials of CEE Bankwatch Network prepared particularly for the annual meeting of EBRD 2013. EcoLur raised the issue of SHHPs in the course of the special meeting with Alistair Clark and Daiush Prashek.
May 13, 2013 at 14:54