Skopje, 21 July 2022 (MIA) – With the EU we are beginning a significant forestry reform, a project financed by IPA funds with a 1.3-million-euro grant, said the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, Ljupcho Nikolovski, on Thursday. Nikolovski said in the past eight months, representatives from the Ministry and EU, together with all the concerned entities – public institutions, representatives from the scientific community, ecologists and NGOs from the field of forestry, intensely worked on the project “Supporting the Reforms in Policy and Legislation in Forestry in North Macedonia”. The working group worked towards three expected results: revision of the Strategy for Sustainable Development of Forestry in North Macedonia (2006-2026), drafting of new legislation on forests in accordance with EU regulations and drafting of a new national programme on forestry for the implementation of the legislation on forests and the Strategy for Sustainable Development. “The successful completion of this project will lay sound foundations for the effective implementation of the main, large IPA project, which according to the EU Delegation, should begin in the last quarter of this or the beginning of next year. The financial support in the form of a 1.3 million euro grant will strengthen the management of the forestry sector thanks to the current project,” the Minister said. According to him, the beginning of EU negotiations means new, greater support which will contribute to the development of all sectors, including forestry. “With the IPARD programme we are developing the Macedonian agriculture by aiding the purchase of new equipment and machinery. With the IPA funds we are building new irrigation systems in order to have higher yield and better quality of produce. We are looking after the forests with concrete policies for their protection and growth.” said the Minister in his address. ad/ba/