Skopje, 26 July 2023 (MIA) - Ambassador David Geer, Head of the Delegation of the European Union, and Michela Telatin, UNOPS Multi-country Office Director, will launch the ‘EU 4 Clean Air’ programme through a signing ceremony at Europe House Bitola on Wednesday. The signature will take place in the presence of Kaja Shukova, Minister of Environment and Physical Planning and Toni Konjanovski, Mayor of Bitola.

‘EU 4 Clean Air’ programme aims to contribute towards reduced emissions of pollutants and particulate matter in Bitola, Kumanovo, Skopje and Tetovo, thus improve the air quality in North Macedonia. 794,540 inhabitants of the four urban centres will directly benefit from: improved heating systems in 70 public buildings (area coverage of 200,000 m2); delivery and installation of 3 air quality monitoring stations, and 6,000 tree seedlings planted, the EU Delegation in Skopje said in a press release. 

The capital alone will be provided with 6 environmentally friendly buses for public transportation and will be the subject of a feasibility study for the further expansion of the Skopje District Heating System, reads the press release. 

EU 4 Clean Air’ programme derives from the European Green Deal and the target for Europe to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. The budget of €10 million will be implemented over a period of 3 years (until 2026) under the management of UNOPS, the press release adds.

Photo: MIA archive