The expert team of the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, led by the Minister Shukova, today held a meeting with the representatives of the Secretariat of the Berne Convention in the area of natural heritage protection, who are on a mission in our country according to the Open case for the Republic of North Macedonia: Alleged negative impacts on Ohrid Lake and National Park Galicica – candidate for Emerald areas, due to infrastructure development.
In the welcome speech, Minister Shukova presented the activities of the Ministry and the progress in the Sector of Nature, as well as the activities undertaken in accordance with the remarks of the Secretariat of the Berne Convention.
“I would like to emphasize that we see this mission of the representatives from the Bern, Ramsar and UNESCO Conventions as an opportunity for representatives of external neutral institutions, based on the views of various stakeholders, as well as on field visits, to give a realistic independent assessment of the state of the natural heritage of Lake Ohrid and Galicica National Park – candidates for Emerald areas. We expect that the assessment will reflect applicable recommendations of the Standing Committee of the Berne Convention regarding the determination of the habitats and wild species that may be affected by anthropogenic activities, as well as recommendation for measures and activities to reduce these impacts according to the existing situation” Shukova pointed out.
The representatives of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially for the Waterfowl Habitats (Ramsar Convention) and the Convention for the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage (UNESCO) also participated in the delegation, and representatives from other relevant state authorities and national and international institutions and experts.
The mission, led by the executive secretary of the Berne Convention Mikael Poutiers, continues tomorrow and the day after with a visit to NP “Galicica”, the municipalities of Ohrid and Struga, as well as a field visit to Studencishko marsh, the area near St. Naum and the Ohrid and Struga coasts.