Memorandum for the protection of nature/Part of the agreement, also Prespa and Devolli

2024-12-07 14:51:00, Qyteti im CNA

Memorandum for the protection of nature/Part of the agreement, also Prespa and

Two municipalities of the southeast, namely Prespa and Devolli, together with a municipality of Greece and North Macedonia, have signed the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation, as the municipalities between which the basin of the Prespa lakes is shared.

The purpose of this memorandum is to increase the level of protection of this natural resource. Despite the existence of intergovernmental agreements, for years the lakes and the environment around them have been damaged by various factors, while now the 4 mayors have taken the commitment to take concrete steps towards improving the situation, which consist in unifying the fishing season, reducing pollution and heritage conservation.

The mayor of Pustec, Pali Kolefski, told CNA Tv that this agreement assigns this municipality two projects, more specifically in sewage and drinking water in all the villages of this municipality.

"The main part that this agreement includes is the preservation of all the nature and the lakes of Prespa. The main one was this, together with the preservation of the cultural and material heritage of the border between North Macedonia, Albania and Greece. I think that the main interest that we benefit, with this cooperation agreement, we have been declared the winner in two projects. In one, Pustec Municipality will have the management of the entire project, while in the second it will be implemented by the water and sewerage department, we hope that we are successful here as well", said Kolefski.

Memorandum for the protection of nature/Part of the agreement, also Prespa and

The mayor of Pustec, Pali Kolefski

He stated that the Prespa lake unites the three states, while this memorandum will help in synchronizing the preservation of the lake from pollution but also the development of fishing.

"There are many aspects, we mention fishing in Lake Prespa from all three countries and this will help in synchronizing to protect the lake from pollution but also fishing itself. For example, the ban on fishing in Macedonia should be from May 1 until the end May, and the same thing be in all municipalities."

The Albanian part is the cleanest in terms of the level of pollution because there is no pollution from pesticides or industrial materials. According to Kolefski, the Municipality has focused on the sewerage of waste water in all villages, as they can be considered as potential pollution for the lake.

"The biggest commitment is to reduce pollution, the Albanian part is the cleanest because we, as a municipality, have no agricultural, pesticide or industrial pollution. Here we are focused on sewage, excluding the villages of Pustec and Zaroshke, which is the project , we have also applied for sewage for all other villages. I can say that this is a potential pollution for Lake Prespa the lake with drinking water that we all have to protect and be responsible", he emphasized.

All municipalities aim to achieve sustainable development in the Prespa Lakes region, which is a special natural and cultural asset, through joint projects./ CNA