GTI letter to the EBRD regarding the disclosure of ED contact information

On August 16, 2007 EBRD responded to this letter. Download the response as pdf here.

On August 30, 2007 below cited follow-up letter to the EBRD Board of Directors was sent:

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
One Exchange Square
London EC2A 2JN
United Kingdom

Dear Board Members,

In a letter of 24 July 2007, the GTI congratulated the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for taking a positive step toward greater disclosure by releasing e-mail contacts of the Directorsoffices. The letter called for even greater transparency and suggested that the Directors start disclosing their Board voting records on a voluntary basis. 

In the letter, the GTI referred to precedents on voting disclosure set by Spain and the United States, stating that the former had made a formal commitment to publish its voting records. Several Spanish officials objected to this, suggesting that it was misleading to call the commitment formal because it was non-binding. The GTI statement was based on a resolution adopted by the Spanish Parliament on 30 May 2007, which called on the Spanish Government to produce an annual report setting out, among other things, the Spanish position on decisions taken by the International Monetary Fund and World Bank on alleviation of foreign debt, the fight against financial speculation, poverty reduction and structural adjustment policies in the borrowing countries.

The GTI apologises for any confusion our original letter may have caused. At the same time, we reiterate our call, to Spanish officials as well as others, to start disclosing their voting records on the boards of international financial institutions (IFIs) such as the EBRD. We also call on the Spanish Government to abide by the spirit of the parliamentary resolution by applying it not only to the IMF and World Bank but to all IFIs in which Spain participates. This would contribute to greater transparency and accountability of both Spain and these institutions.

Yours sincerely,

Global Transparency Initiative Executive Committee

Access to Information Network (ATIN), Philippines
ARTICLE 19, United Kingdom
Bank Information Center, United States
Bretton Woods Project, United Kingdom
CEE Bankwatch Network, Czech Republic
freedominfo.org, United States
Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA), South Africa