Ohrid, 25 April 2023 (MIA) – The expert team of the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning led by Minister Kaja Shukova held a meeting Tuesday with representatives of the Secretariat of the Bern Convention on the conservation of natural heritage, where she presented the activities undertaken on the basis of the Secretariat’s remarks.

The meeting was also attended by representatives of the Convention for the conservation of wetlands of international importance (Ramsar Convention), representatives of UNESCO, as well as representatives of other relevant state bodies, national and international institutions, and experts.

“We see this as an opportunity for the representatives of external neutral institutions, based on the positions of various affected parties and ground visits, to provide a realistic independent assessment of the state of the natural heritage of Lake Ohrid and the Galichica National Park, as Emerald site candidates. We expect that the assessment will result in applicable recommendations regarding the identification of habitats and wild species that could be affected by anthropogenic activities, as well as measures and activities about reducing the impact based on the current situation,” said Shukova.

The Mission led by the Secretary of the Bern Convention, Mikaël Poutiers, will continue its visit to the country on Wednesday and Thursday, by holding meetings with representatives of the Galichica National Park, Ohrid and Struga municipalities, as well as visits to the Studenchishte Marsh, the St. Naum area and the Ohrid and Struga coastline.

Photo: Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning