Follow-up Questions
RECOMMENDATIONS B,
D AND E: CONDITIONS
AND CO-ORDINATION
It would be helpful to have an update on the latest
publication dates of the EIAR and the RAP, and on discussions
with other ECAs involved in the project
We do not have final dates for publication of
the EIAR and RAP.
Once the EIAR is completed, we expect there
to be a period prior to publication during which it is discussed
with the buyer. This document is being produced for the lead contractor,
Sulzer, and it is not within HMG's gift to determine when it will
be published but we shall push for it to be made public as soon
as possible.
Similarly, the RAP is being produced for the
Turkish buyer; we assume that it will be published, but a decision
on publication is not ours.
The Export Risk Guarantee Agency (ERG), the
Swiss ECA, recently circulated to ECGD and the other export credit
agencies (on a confidential basis) a report by Dr Kudat (the resettlement
expert appointed by them to assist in drawing up the RAP) on progress
to date and future work requirements. In response to a recent
Parliamentary Question, ECGD has specifically asked ERG whether
they are willing to have this document placed in the Library of
the House. They have stated that they are not prepared to make
this document—which is not a final report—publicly
available at this stage. When the final reports are available,
we will seek agreement to their being made publicly available.
RECOMMENDATION I:
TRANSPARENCY
An indication of progress on increasing transparency
and other reforms in ECAs within the OECD Consensus would be useful
The assumption is that this question relates
to the progress in the OECD on the discussions relating to establishing
common approaches for ECAs on the environment. These discussions
are taking place within the OECD Working Party on Export Credits
and Credit Guarantees (ECG).
Significant progress has been made in ECG over
the last 12 months toward fulfilling the complementary mandates
set by OECD Ministers and G8 Heads.
At their meeting in February 2000, the ECG agreed
upon an Action Statement on the Environment, which, inter alia,
committed members to develop procedures and methodologies for
identifying and assessing the environmental impact of projects.
The stated aim is to synthesise best practice to achieve a framework
of common approaches for ECAs.
The ECG subsequently agreed to a comprehensive
Work Plan—which has been published on the OECD website—to
facilitate the fulfilment of the Ministerial mandate. Discussion
of the Work Plan is well underway, with additional special sessions
of the ECG dedicated to the environment.
Against this background, members are also exchanging
information on their environmental screening systems as they are
developed and introduced.
There are also on going exchanges of information
among members in relation to projects which are being co-financed
by a number of ECAs.
RECOMMENDATION M:
HASANKEYF
The Committee would be assisted by a note on progress
with consideration of the means of ensuring an independent evaluation
of the archaeological and rescue plans for Hasankeyf
Evaluation of the archaeological and rescue
plans for Hasankeyf will form part of the EIAR.
The World Bank is providing some funding from
its Historical Conservation programme.
We will be discussing with the Department for
Culture, Media and Sport what further assurance might be provided.
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