Czech Republic will preside over the Council of Governors of the European Investment Bank for the next 12 months

Prague – Czech Republic will today begin its 12-month presidency of the Board of Governors of the European Investment Bank (EIB). The presidency, which rotates among the 27 member states of the European Union according to a predetermined key, was taken over today in Luxembourg by Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura (ODS). The Ministry of Finance informed about this in a press release.

The European Investment Bank is an institution of the European Union that specializes in providing long-term loans. Its shareholders are the EU member states. The Board of Governors consists of appointed ministers from EU countries, usually finance ministers. The Board issues general guidelines for the EIB’s lending policy and grants the bank authorization for financial operations outside the EU and for capital increases.

Stanjura emphasized today that the EIB plays a significant role in supporting European priorities from defense and energy security to affordable housing. “I particularly appreciate the support that the bank directs to the European defense industry. In the past year, the EIB has made a number of important changes to its criteria, which will allow it to support more projects and finance a broader portfolio of companies,” added Stanjura.

The President of the EIB since last year is Nadia Calviňová. One of the vice presidents will be the Deputy Minister of Finance of the Czech Republic Marek Mora, who will take office for four years starting October 1. The only previous Czech vice president of the EIB was Ivan Pilip from 2004 to 2007.

Last year, the EIB supported projects in the Czech Republic worth 2.47 billion euros (62.6 billion crowns). Compared to 2023, the support increased by one third. The main part of the funds was directed towards the modernization and development of railways and supporting energy infrastructure. (June 20)