Why do international NGOs criticize the BTC consultation process?
Does the project meet IFC consultation standards? BTC has put in place a comprehensive public consultation and disclosure process to address interested and affected parties in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. This commenced in mid-2001 with a process of stakeholder identification and preliminary consultation during project scoping. This was followed by the distribution of information briefs, introductory and follow-up meetings with national, provincial and local authorities, national and local NGOs, communities and interest groups along the pipeline route. These included meetings and surveys in early 2002 to assess possible environmental and social impacts and to develop possible mitigation measures. The draft ESIA was released in May 2002 in Azerbaijan and Georgia and in June 2002 in Turkey. An intensive consultation process in all three countries (‘disclosure road show’) was put in place during the 60 day period following release of the draft ESIAs during which public comments were so
