Ohrid, 18 October 2023 (MIA) – Europe has recognized Ohrid as one of the most attractive tourist destinations, as one of the most dynamic economic sectors, tourism is at the top of the priorities of the European Union, and the EU sees tourism as an extremely significant economic activity, with a wide impact on economic growth, employment and the entire social development, Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj told a forum on tourism and environment held as part of the 'We Are Europe' campaign in Ohrid on Wednesday. 

Marichikj pointed out that the tourist turnover in the country recorded growth in Q2 2023, by 28 percent compared to 2022. The two quarters in 2023 see a growth of 24 percent compared to last year and revenues of USD 229 million from tourism.

The Deputy PM pointed out that in the past ten years, many projects, including about 700 in the tourism sector and cross-border cooperation, have been supported with EUR 80 million from the EU funds.

"With each step in the EU pre-accession process, new and even greater opportunities will be opened for funds and support from Brussels, as well as for the development of tourist facilities and new tourist offers. Together with Albania, there is much work ahead of us in the preservation of this precious region which has several cross-border projects for the protection and promotion of tourism, and hence the support from the EU is extremely welcome," he said. 

Marichikj added that the country just needs to seize the chance and join the EU by 2030, which he is certain is possible if important decisions are made and the negotiation process is successfully completed.  

Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Kaja Shukova pointed to the need to direct the country towards a more balanced development, through prevention and introduction of the concept of sustainability.

"There are environmental principles that we all have to respect, we have obligations that we all have to fulfill, we have responsibility at all levels of government and among individuals to respect the laws in which the European legislation has been transposed. Now it is only up to us how much we will implement them," Shukova said. 

She added that the EU helps the country in that regard institutionally, financially, by setting high standards, which requires a lot of work, a lot of funds and healthy human capacities.

"At the latest screening meeting in Brussels on the environment, we were told that we are on the right track, but the path must be taken. The challenge is great, it requires a lot of effort, energy, a lot of funds... But EU membership will open up new funds that we are not using now, and believe me, we know what we need them for," said Shukova.

Slovenian Ambassador Gregor Presker also addressed the forum sharing some of Slovenia's experience on its path to EU membership, and highlighting the advantages of the membership in the Union to the national economy and the society as a whole, particularly business, bringing the country closer to the EU, as well as tourism and sustainable development. 

The 'We Are Europe' campaign is organized by the Secretariat for European Affairs as part of the government's efforts to meet the country's strategic goal of joining the European Union.

Public forums are organized in eight cities as part of the campaign, covering multiple topics such as labor and social policy, agriculture, culture, tourism and environment, youth, infrastructure, and energy.  

Photo: MIA