§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
In which projects the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Agency for Reconstruction are involved in south-east Europe (notably in Kosovo, Albania and Bulgaria); and whether they are working on the team. [HL4507]
§ Baroness AmosThe European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are not involved in reconstruction projects in Kosovo at present. The immediate priority is for humanitarian assistance. This is being met by bilateral and multilateral donors, including the European Commission Task Force in Pristina.
The European Agency for Reconstruction will be established when the European Council adopts the regulation that defines its remit. There are no plans at present for it to fund projects beyond Kosovo.
154WACo-ordination of the international effort for the reconstruction of Kosovo is carried out by the High Level Steering Group, established by EU leaders at the European Council meeting in Cologne in June. This is taken forward through meetings at official level and through a series of donors conferences, the next of which will be held in Brussels on 17 November.
In Albania, the EIB has invested some 22 million euro for telecommunications and transport projects. The EBRD has invested some 90.7 million euro in support to small and medium sized enterprises, strengthening the financial sector, tourism and infrastructure projects to improve power production, telecommunications and road transport.
In Bulgaria, the EIB has invested some 225 million euro in telecommunications, water management and support to industry. The EBRD has invested some 380 million euro in support of privatisation programmes, support to the banking sector and infrastructure projects to improve the safety of nuclear power stations and to support municipal and environmental services.