Skopje, 27 April 2022 (MIA) – In accordance with the obligations of the last decision of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee adopted in Fuzhou, China in July 2021 and the agreed steps and obligations of the Joint Declaration of the National Commissions for UNESCO of North Macedonia and Albania from July 2021, a joint working meeting was held Wednesday in Pogradec at the political level between the two countries. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Naser Nuredini, Albanian Minister of Tourism and Environment Mirela Kumbaro Furxhi, the mayors of the municipalities of Pogradec, Korca, Ohrid and Struga, as well as experts working directly in the process of protection of the natural and cultural heritage of the Ohrid region – UNESCO World Heritage, said the Environment Ministry “We expect the meeting to result in the establishment of regular work of the Interstate Management Committee, in accordance with the 2005 agreement, the establishment of a permanent secretariat composed of relevant experts from both sides, as well as the commitment and readiness of both countries to develop a joint Strategic Rehabilitation Plan to be submitted to the World Heritage Center no later than February 1, 2023. It is also necessary to prepare joint reports on the progress of the two countries, as well as joint political / diplomatic action in the United Nations and the European Union,” said Minister Nuredini in his introductory address, adding that nature has no borders and is essential to establish cooperation at all levels - central, local, and expert, to overcome the challenges and find solutions to preserve the status of the Ohrid region as a world cultural and natural heritage. During the meeting, said the press release, the position that Albania and North Macedonia are fully aware of the exceptional heritage that the two countries share with each other and with the world was confirmed, and that they are resolutely committed to make the only cross-border heritage of the Western Balkans a model of good practice, and to show with concrete actions how the care for the common natural and cultural heritage can contribute to fostering good neighborly relations, understanding and close cooperation in building a better region, a better world for all. dk/ba/