Skopje, 4 November 2023 (MIA) — Through an EU-funded project worth EUR 10 million, the state will replace the heating systems in public buildings in four cities with environmentally friendly heating systems, according to Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Kaja Shukova.

"About EUR 5.6 million will be used to replace non-environmentally friendly systems in Skopje, Kumanovo, Bitola and Tetovo," Minister Shukova said, adding it was yet to be determined where to begin replacing the systems.

The remainder of the funding would be used to plant more trees in public spaces in the four cities, she told a press conference Saturday held to launch this year's Reforesting Together 2023 tree-planting campaign.

"We continue our important activities to reduce pollution," Shukova said. She added that the state would also offer subsidies to citizens willing to purchase heat pumps as alternative sources of heating "because we know that a great deal of the pollution still comes from public buildings and households," she said.

Asked to comment on why some air quality monitoring stations were down, the environment minister said the monitoring stations were automatic and had "sensitive parts, instruments that break down very often." She insisted, however, that they were regularly repaired.

"There are over 20 air monitoring stations nationwide, not only in the City of Skopje. Several people work to maintain the system. It can happen that a monitoring station is down or a day or two until broken parts are replaced," Shukova said. mr/