Tetovo, 21 September 2022 (MIA) – Representatives of several ministries, public forestry enterprises, pastures, national parks, state inspectorates, tourism sectors, hunting, fishing and other similar affected entities participated in a conference Wednesday in Tetovo, launching a project aimed at identifying new zones which will become a part of the EU’s ecological network called Natura 2000. The project called “Improving the capacities for Natura 2000 and CITES” consists of two important components which will help identify areas and draft the appropriate legislation. Thus far 12 areas have been identified. “We are here today to promote a project together with the European Delegation aimed at improving the implementation of Natura 2000. As part of the project, we will designate Natura 2000 areas in our country and protect them with European directives, we will do whatever is necessary. Once more I thank the EU for the financial support and all the other support it has provided,” said the Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Naser Nuredini. Attending the event, the Head of the EU delegation to North Macedonia, David Geer, said that this support is further proof of the EU’s commitment to the protection of the environment and nature itself. “The support the EU provides specifically in this case will help identify other locations which will be a part of the Natura 2000 network in the future. Natura 2000 is the largest global network which also includes EU member states. We are here today in the Shar Mountains, because we see the nature protection potential in order for it to be a part of the Natura 2000 network. Furthermore, the support provided today is not only aimed at environment protection, but also preparing the country itself for EU membership,” said Ambassador Geer. The Director of the Shar Mountain National Park, Ibrahim Dehari, addressed the attendees at the event as well. “The new national park is slowly, but surely laying the foundations necessary for successful operations, while the opportunity to be designated a future Natura 2000 area and the legislation on prevention of international trade in endangered flora and fauna species, will greatly facilitate the incorporation of European standards in the development of the national park,” said Dehari. The main part of the component for Natura 2000 involves work on the ground across the whole country in order to assess more than 20 potential areas. The aim of the component for CITES is to fully harmonize the national legislation with the EU Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). ad/ba/