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Together for the people in Türkiye and Syria | Statement by CEB Governor Carlo Monticelli
20 March 2023
Together for the people in Türkiye and Syria
International Donors’ Conference, Brussels
Statement by CEB Governor Carlo Monticelli
As prepared for delivery
Prime Minister Kristersson, President Erdoğan,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is in empathy and solidarity with the people of Türkiye and Syria that I am here today as Governor of the Council of Europe Development Bank, better known as CEB.
Established in 1956, with its social mandate, the CEB puts the values of the Council of Europe into action.
After the catastrophe, the CEB was – and is – quick to respond. Today, I am here to pledge 500 million euros in new financing for Türkiye in 2023 and 2024. To this, we also add 3 million euro in grant resources for project preparation.
In line with the CEB’s mandate, these additional funds are going to be deployed to finance the reconstruction and rehabilitation of essential health infrastructure, focusing on areas where needs are most critical.
CEB’s engagement with Türkiye goes way back more than six decades, given that Türkiye is one of its founding members.
Over the years, the CEB has provided loans for nearly 8 billion euro to Türkiye, supporting social investment, job creation, as well as response to and prevention of natural disasters.
Indeed, just last year, the CEB has approved 350 million euros in new lending for Türkiye.
In addition, the CEB is managing several important projects funded by the European Union.
Most notably, the CEB supervised the construction and equipping of a public hospital in Kilis, near the Syrian border, which was inaugurated in December 2022. The hospital withstood the earthquakes and remains fully operational, continuing to save lives in these tragic circumstances.
Building on 67 years of solid partnership, the CEB is eager to continue supporting the people of Türkiye with our 500 million euros pledge.
Thank you for your attention.
Set up in 1956, the CEB (Council of Europe Development Bank) has 42 member states. Twenty-two Central, Eastern and South Eastern European countries, forming the Bank's target countries, are listed among the member states. As a major instrument of the policy of solidarity in Europe, the Bank finances social projects by making available resources raised in conditions reflecting the quality of its rating (Aa1 with Moody's, outlook stable, AAA with Standard & Poor's, outlook stable, AA+ with Fitch Ratings, outlook positive and AAA* with Scope Ratings, outlook stable). It thus grants loans to its member states, and to financial institutions and local authorities in its member states for the financing of projects in the social sector, in accordance with its Articles of Agreement.
*unsolicited