|
Ecodefense
PRESS-RELEASE
Moscow, January 27, 2005
EBRD HELD PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS IN MOSCOW
Activists urged Bank to suspend funding for nuclear power and
introduce social-ethnical assessment for the projects related to oil
and gas
On January 26 EBRD' public consultation over new energy policy was
held in Moscow. Environmental and other public groups from Russia,
Ukraine, Bielorussia, Poland, Armenia, Azerbajan joined the
consultation process to improve Bank performance in environmental,
energy, social fields.
Most of the critics directed to Bank management was caused by
participation of EBRD in oil and gas projects in former Soviet Union
republics. Several groups criticized Bank for involvement in Sakhalin
oil project which provoked many protests by environmentalists and
indigenous people. Another project that put EBRD under public critics
is loan for Russian oil giant LUKOIL. According to environmentalists,
EBRD support helped LUKOIL to start D-6 project in Baltic Sea, near
Kaliningrad city, while officially the aim of project was to improve
company' standards in fields of finances, environment and public
relations. D-6 oil deposit located near UNESCO World Heritage site
"Curonian Spit", what sparkled many protests by environmentalists,
local people which sent thousands of postcards to Russian president
last year demanding to prevent D-6 operation, and even neighbouring
country Lithuania.
After EBRD issued that loan, LUKOIL started preparations for project,
including public consultations and various assessments required by
Russian legislation. While preparing for D-6 implementation, LUKOIL
repeatedly violated Russian legislation what caused several court
cases started by Ecodefense, environmental group protesting D-6
implementation through the last 3 years. According to
environmentalists, LUKOIL could not bring its standards to
international level, and could not even bring it in line with Russian
legislation. Various EBRD officials, including its President,
repeatedly promised to investigate situation with LUKOIL performance
but that did not lead to improvement. Currently, statement on D-6 is
under preparation in PACE environment commission (Parliamentary
Association of the Council of Europe).
Another issue for discussion was EBRD policy in field of nuclear power
which focused on upgrading old nuclear reactors. Environmental groups
urged Bank to stop financial help to nuclear industry in Russia and
other countries.
"Ecodefense urge EBRD to continue efforts aimed at shutting down of nuclear
reactors, but stop the support for any other nuclear projects", said
Vladimir Slivyak, co-chairman of Ecodefense, speaking to the Bank'
management during consultation. That suggestion was incorporated into final
notes of the consultation.
For more information: phone in Moscow - +7(095)2784642, 7766281
ecodefense@online.ru http://www.antiatom.ru
|
