Skopje, 3 July 2023 (MIA) – A five-day bilateral screening on Chapter 27 - Environment and Climate Change, which is part of Cluster 4 - Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity, has kicked off Monday in Brussels.

Deputy chief EU negotiator Drita Abdiu Halili delivered opening remarks at the meeting, who said that complex reforms await us, for which, as before, we will have support from the EU through European funds, the Secretariat for European Affairs (SEA) said in a press release.

“The reforms of this chapter have the most direct benefits for all citizens, considering that the EU's environmental policy aims to promote sustainable development and protect the environment for current and future generations,” Abdiu Halili said.

North Macedonia is committed to aligning national legislation with the EU acquis in the most complex Chapter 27 - Environment and Climate Change, which is falling under the competence of the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning and whose implementation is a particular challenge, Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Kaja Shukova said.

"Over the past period, we have taken major steps to improve the situation in almost all areas, particularly in the area of waste management and water management. In addition to exchanging information on what has been achieved, I expect we jointly identify challenges by area, especially in areas that require high investment, and provide strong support both from the European institutions, and from within the state, because only with broad inclusiveness and commitment can we achieve the intended goal," said Shukova.

Chapter 27 - Environment and Climate Change is one of the most extensive and important chapters, which contributes to the protection of the environment, promotion of sustainable development and the fight against climate change.

The harmonization of the legislation as well as the implementation of the standards of this chapter will mean the preservation of nature, improvement of the quality of life of citizens, attraction of investments in green technologies and commitment to global environmental goals. By aligning policies and standards with those of the EU, North Macedonia strengthens its position in the negotiations with the EU, contributing to a sustainable future and an ecologically clean and healthy environment.

The state delegation for this chapter consists of representatives from several institutions, namely: Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Health, State Environmental Inspectorate, Food and Veterinary Agency, State Sanitary and Health Inspectorate, the Agency for Real Estate Cadastre, Protection and Rescue Directorate, National Hydrometeorological Service, State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption as well as the Secretariat for European Affairs.

Minister Shukova is to officially sign today North Macedonia’s joining the LIFE programme for environment and climate, in attendance of deputy chief EU negotiator Drita Abdiu Halili.

The LIFE programme is the EU's funding instrument for the environment and climate action running since 1992. It has co-financed more than 5,500 projects across the EU and beyond and has a funding of EUR 5.4 billion.

Through this partnership, public and private organisations in North Macedonia will be able to receive financial support for projects to develop and demonstrate eco-innovative techniques as well as approaches and best practices that contribute to a climate-neutral, circular and resilient economy that protect and preserve nature.

With the completion of the screening for this chapter, the bilateral screening for Chapter 15 – Energy, remains, scheduled for the second half of September, which will wrap up the screening on Cluster 4 - Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity, reads SEA press release.