European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

HC Deb 28 January 1998 vol 305 cc290-1W

27. Mr. Tyrie

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the future of the EBRD. [23885]

Clare Short

Under the excellent leadership of Jacques de Larosiere, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has made a major contribution to promoting the transition to open market economies and to developing the private sector in central and eastern Europe and central Asia. M. Larosiere will retire as President on 31 January. We are actively seeking to have a new President appointed as soon as possible and look forward to deepening still further the collaboration between the UK and EBRD on advancing an equitable and sustainable transition and thereby the living standards of the people in EBRD's region.