Brussels, 20/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 21 and Friday 22 October, for the very first time, the European Investment Bank (EIB) is to hold its board of directors meeting and its annual regional forum in Istanbul.
Headed by EIB President Philippe Maystadt, the board of directors will meet on Thursday. Its members will have an opportunity to visit two projects financed by the EIB in Turkey. These are: the Istanbul earthquake risk mitigation project for reinforcing public buildings in the city of Istanbul to raise the city's resilience against earthquakes; and the Bosphorous tunnel and commuter rail system linking Europe with Asia.
The EIB and the European Investment Fund are also expected to announce and sign new financing for Turkey for a total of €850 million and an additional €25 million in loan guarantees. Details on these agreements will not be revealed until the agreements have been signed. The EIB has been active in Turkey for more than 45 years. Total lending between 2004 and 2008 came to €8.3 billion.
During the afternoon of 21 October, the EIB will also organise a meeting in Istanbul with civil society, during which it will present its activities. The EIB will aim at “raising awareness of its role and impact, while enabling an open and frank exchange of views, discussing topics of common interest”, an EIB press release states. (O.L./transl.jl)