Skopje, 1 June 2023 (MIA) – The Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning launched its "Support in the implementation of waste management and widespread producer responsibility" project financed by the EU with Hungarian and Austrian administrations as partners, Minister for Environment and Physical Planning Kaja Shukova told reporters Monday.

Minister Shukova said the project aligned national legislation related to extended responsibility.

Steffen Hudolin, Head of Cooperation in the EU Delegation to North Macedonia, said this area had fallen behind and urged institutions to speed up the implementation process.

Shukova said the continued coordination of the legislation with the European Union acquis, with the help of EU funds, was important for North Macedonia.

"We need to adjust our legislation when it comes to extended responsibility in those places where we have serious partners who should work on reducing deposited waste in accordance with the principles of circular economy," Shukova said.

Hudolin said North Macedonia would receive EUR 1 million for implementing the legislation and adjusting the waste and recycling laws.

"This is to increase producer responsibility and managing waste production. Successfully dealing with waste in North Macedonia depends on the implementation of laws, which will be closely monitored by authorities," Hudolin said.

He added that, in the past, EU member countries had gathered significant funds for the environment and waste, but when it came to its implementation there was procrastination, so he urged institutions to quickly implement this project.

In response to questions about a port being built on the Albanian side of Lake Ohrid, Minister Shukova said there was no such thing, and that the area was being cleaned up. She also said UNESCO had not mentioned anything about such a project being built.

Regarding the Skopje treatment plant, she said the City of Skopje and the Water Supply and Sewage utility company had said the project was going according to plan. ssh/mr