Athens, 29 November 2024 (MIA - Mayors of the municipalities of Resen (MK), Prespes (GR), Pustec and Devoll (AL) will sign Friday a memorandum of cooperation regarding the Prespa basin and setting up a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) within the trans-national region. In the attendance of EU Ambassador to Skopje, Michalis Rokas, the four mayors will sign the memo in the Greek town of Lemos, committing to a common vision for sustainable development, protection of the environment and the region's cultural heritage, MIA reports from Athens.

The Prespes municipality has said that the initiative aims to turn the Prespa basin, which alongside the Prespa park has been declared the first transboundary protected area on the Balkans, into a model of innovative cross-border cooperation and sustainable regional development in the broader area.

The memorandum lays the foundation for strengthening of cooperation in fields such as sustainable development, environment protection and maintenance of biodiversity and cultural heritage in the Prespa region. The objectives include improvement of the quality of life of residents through upgraded municipal and public services, collective management of natural and cultural resources, and management of the climate crisis impact. In addition, the EGTC aims to promote the region as a tourism destination based on its unique natural and cultural richness, reads the press release.

In addition, the EU Delegation has said the aim of the memorandum is to formally foster environmental protection, sustainable development and enhance the cross-border collaboration within the trans-national Prespa region.

It notes that the European Union support for integrated and cooperative approaches to sustainable regional development within the Prespa Basin is in line with EU Council Regulations 1082/2006 and 1302/2013. The region of Prespa is already benefiting from the EU-funded “EU4Prespa” programme financial envelope worth €21.5 million, of which €18 million i.e. 84% are provided by the European Union. 4 grants awarded to local civil society organisations and 2 contribution agreements signed with UNDP are already under implementation. In addition, EU-funding of €7,7 million is available under the programme for cross-border cooperation between Greece and North Macedonia for re-opening of Markova noga – German border crossing point.

The signing ceremony will also be used as an occasion to visit the border crossing point Markova Noga - German for an in situ presentation of the planned works for both sides of the border.

Photo: Prespes municipality