EU Presidency Statement on Singaporean ban on civil society representatives attending the World Bank and IMF Annual meetings

Press release 358/2006
13 September, 2006

The Presidency of the European Union is worried about the decision of the Singaporean authorities not to allow a number of civil society representatives to enter the country for the IMF and World Bank Annual meetings. These activists have been accredited by the World Bank and should have the right to participate in the meetings and debates in Singapore.

The Presidency attaches great importance to an open and constructive dialogue between civil society and the World Bank institutions. This dialogue is very important for the development of World Bank policies as well as for the transparency, credibility and legitimacy of these important institutions. The Presidency considers civil society participation an indispensable part of the World Bank and IMF Annual meetings.

The Presidency urges the Government of Singapore to reconsider its decision to impose an entry ban on these civil society representatives.