Today, the Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Kaja Shukova had a meeting with the Ambassador of the Republic of Greece in Republic of North Macedonia, H.E. Sophia Philippidou.
The focus of the conversation was the activities for the preservation and promotion of the Prespa Lake region, after the ratification of the trilateral “Agreement for the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Prespa Park”, which was signed by North Macedonia, Greece and Albania, as well as the upcoming meeting of the key authorities that manage and regulate the park.
The minister emphasized that extensive consultations are expected regarding the cross-border management of Prespa Park, in order to enable sustainable management of natural values and to promote socio-economic development for the local population of the three states.
The Prespa region, as a unique eqosystem, will be developed with financial support from the European Union in the amount of 18 million euros provided through the EU4Prespa program within the framework of the IPA III Annual Program.
The challenges faced by the two countries in relation to the functionality of the hydrosystem of the Dojran Lake, i.e. the need for the reconstruction of the water treatment plant, as one of the most important joint projects between North Macedonia and Greece in the area of environmental protection, were also discussed. The meeting also discussed the commitment of the two countries in the protection and management of water resources in the wider basin of the Drim River, the vision for sustainable management of the basin and the steps foreseen for the future.
Shukova and Philippidou agreed that it is necessary to institutionalize cooperation, active communication and coordinated action, in order to successfully implement joint projects in the area of environmental management, which are of strategic importance and a common priority of both countries.