The fate of the Ilovica-Shtuka project has remained stuck in the status quo for far too long, while Macedonia is losing time, investments and opportunities for economic development. Local residents united in the citizens’ Initiative “Both Health and Work” believe that it is time for institutions to finally complete the process and make decisions based on laws, science and expert analyses, according to today’s press release.
“If the Ilovica-Shtuka project meets the legal requirements, environmental standards and criteria prescribed by the institutions, then the decision should be made based on those facts, and not on the basis of pressures, misinformation or political calculations,” the “Both Health and Work” initiative noted.
“We would like to emphasize in particular that the most competent institutions for this issue – the Government and the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources – have not only a legal obligation, but also public support to make a decision that will be in the interest of the state and citizens. It is worrying that in the past period even the holders of the highest positions in this sector, including the Minister of Energy, have been exposed to public pressure and threats in order to prevent the development of mining,” the press release added.
