Skopje, 26 September 2023 (MIA) - We can achieve better alignment with EU standards and regulations only through increased investments in green infrastructure, said Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Kaja Shukova on Tuesday.

Minister Shukova told the Civil Society Forum within the Berlin Process on Climate and Green that we face serious challenges on this road, most often financial and administrative.

"These challenges are complex and require action from all competent institutions. The need for investments is big, we need more funds than we have," Shukova said.

According to her, the need to include the private sector in these processes is just as important, and achieving climate neutrality relies on biodiversity and ecosystem conservation.

The "Green Agenda, Challenges and Opportunities" discussion organized by the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, the Institute for Good Governance and Policies in the Environment and Climate Change-Skopje (IPECC), was attended by Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to North Macedonia Steffen Hudolin, who said that challenges have always existed and they will continue to exist, but "we must turn them into opportunities that include investments in green technology and infrastructure."

"Governments have a key role in establishing a legal framework and introduce policies that will intensify this process," Hudolin said, adding that national budgets must set aside funds for biodiversity conservation.

Albania's Deputy Minister of Tourism and Environment Almira Xhembulla noted this activity requires a lot of effort and hard work from competent institutions. She also spoke about the activities Albania has undertaken for the realization of the Green Agenda and highlighted the eco-system as a central law.

Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) Secretary General Albert Hani shared the office's activities and emphasized that young people are most concerned with environmental issues.

"Training and education is necessary for young people to become familiar with the challenges and potential," Hani said. ssh/ik/