Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade TimchoMucunskibelieves that the Government, in cooperation with the local government, will work diligently on all the remarks in the upcoming period, but believes that maintaining the UNESCO status should not mean regression, but rather tourism, economic and social development of the Ohrid region.
“We believe that we have established a clear plan, we have clear mutual coordination and clear guidelines for what needs to be done,” said FMMucunski, commenting on the decision of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to keep the Ohrid Region on the list of world natural and cultural heritage, giving the country a five-year deadline to implement the recommendations.
Now, addsMucunski, unlike in the past, the country is for the first time getting a longer period and opportunity to implement the recommendations and eliminate some of the conditions for which there are remarks.
“There are conclusions that have been determined by the UNESCO expert segment, which are related to several issues such as urban planning, environmental protection. We have clear guidelines on what needs to be done and enhanced communication. What gives us momentum is that the decision that was made gives us a longer period compared to the past to act, and of course within that period we have cyclical reporting obligations,” The FM told apress conference dedicated to the UNESCO Committee’s decision.
When asked which of the recommendations will be in focus in the coming period, Mucunski said that some of the measures have been implemented in the last year. He said that the central and local authorities will work on all the remarks, and as one of the most significant he mentioned the segment related to urban planning.
