Factsheet - EIB financing in the EU’s Eastern Neighbours

The EIB is the bank of the European Union. Founded in 1958 under the Treaty of Rome, it operates in the 27 EU Member States and more than 130 other countries. In 2011, it signed loans totalling EUR 60bn. 88% of its financing went to projects within the Member States and 12% to projects outside the EU, where the Bank supports projects that contribute to economic development in countries that have signed association or cooperation agreements with the EU or its Member States. It does so at own risk to its balance sheet, under mandates from the European Parliament and Council of the European Union or using budgetary funds provided by Member States or by the EU budget. The EIB is the largest supranational borrower and lender in the world and the only international financial institution politically accountable to EU policymakers and institutions. This factsheet is one of a series covering regions of the world where the EIB is active.