Skopje, 22 March 2023 (MIA) – A grant agreement for EUR 70 million for the construction of a wastewater treatment plant in Skopje was signed on Wednesday by the Minister of Finance, Fatmir Besimi, the Vice President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Lilyana Pavlova, and the Minister of Environment and Physical Planning, Kaja Shukova, in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European affairs, Bojan Marichikj, and the EU Ambassador to North Macedonia, David Geer.

At the signing event, it was noted that the project will provide better living conditions for around 540,000 people and is the largest project in the environment sector in the country so far. The City of Skopje and the PE “Water Supply and Sewage” are the implementers of the project.

“Precisely today, on World Water Day, we commit ourselves to be a part of the change that includes a responsible attitude and the preservation of water. Finally, the citizens of Skopje will get a wastewater treatment plant which is of vital ecological importance. This is proof that European integration is the best formula for further development of the country, and that EU membership does not only mean meeting criteria and harmonizing legislation, but also tangible support for the country and tangible benefits for the citizens. We are bringing European living standards to our country. We are moving towards the goal of the green agenda in the Western Balkans,” stressed Deputy PM Marichikj.

Minister Besimi said that the grant is coming at a time when financial markets are fairly expensive.

“For these funds, we will neither need to borrow nor pay interest, and we don’t even need to return them. These are funds for our citizens, for 500,000 citizens in the City of Skopje. This is yet another confirmation that our European future and EU membership are not only a formal or political process, but also mean a real improvement in the quality of life of the citizens and are a clear signal of the support that the EU gives us,” underlined Besimi.

Minister Shukova said that the construction of the treatment plant will enable a primary and a secondary treatment of wastewater in Skopje, thus helping the country meet the minimum requirements of the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive.

“The agreement is in the spirit of the theme of World Water Day – ‘Accelerate Change’, and the government is working precisely to that end. The construction of the treatment plant is a challenging process that requires great coordination by all affected parties. But, we are all ready to accept the challenge. The goal of the project is to provide a significant and tangible contribution for the improvement of the urban environment in Skopje and the treatment of wastewater, purification and elimination of sludge, thereby improving the quality of life and the bodies of water,” said Shukova.

EU Ambassador Geer also said that the grant is one more practical example of EU support for North Macedonia.

“Once it becomes operational, the treatment plant will be able to safely treat and purify water for 540.000 citizens. The treated water will be of the highest quality in line with the European standards. Leakage will also be reduced, so 70 percent of the water will be able to be used which is essential in a period of climate change and an increase in the urban population. It will also help make the water of the Vardar River, which flows from Skopje to the Aegean Sea, less polluted,” said Geer.

The Vice President of the EIB, Lilyana Pavlova, said that this project has received a lot of technical assistance and support so far, and in the coming days the contracts for the construction and supervision will be signed by the City of Skopje and PE “Water Supply and Sewage”.

“We must preserve the natural water resources and use them carefully. This project is of vital importance for the citizens of Skopje, but also for North Macedonia in general. This is the largest investment grant provided to North Macedonia as part of the Western Balkans Investment Framework,” said Pavlova.

Referring to the statistics, Pavlova pointed out that 800 million people in the world will face water shortages by 2025.

“There is a wealth of water here and we need to take good care of it, but also to ensure that its drinking quality is the best it can be,” said Pavlova.ad/nn/