Struga is a town of ethnic and religious reconciliation, a role model of coexistence and mutual respect, Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova said after her meeting with Struga Mayor Mendi Qyra on Thursday.
At the meeting, they discussed the situation in the municipality, interethnic relations and challenges related to the protection of the Ohrid Region under UNESCO protection.
Siljanovska-Davkova stressed that she symbolically chose Struga for a visit on the day marking 25 years since the signing of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, emphasizing that the city is an example of respect for diversity and coexistence.
According to the Macedonian head of state, the talks were focused on the real problems of the citizens and the obligations that the state and local authorities have in relation to preserving the status of the Ohrid Region within UNESCO. As the President stated after the meeting, it is necessary for institutions at the local and central levels to act in a coordinated manner in order to take advantage of the entrusted opportunity and implement the obligations arising from UNESCO’s decisions.
“One of the important reasons is how to face the opportunity in these five years to take advantage of the trust and chance entrusted to us by UNESCO. The Struga Mayor has a very important role, as does the Ohrid Mayor, the Ministry of Culture and other ministries, i.e. the state,” said Siljanovska-Davkova.
The President said that she was interested in the priorities and first steps that the local government sees in the process of protecting the region, emphasizing that as President, but also as a citizen, she is particularly concerned about the situation with Lake Ohrid and the wider area.
According to Siljanovska-Davkova, the Ohrid region is a rare example of a protected area in which not only one object or locality is valued, but the entire natural and cultural environment.
“We cannot do what is necessary without cooperation, to protect our region, Struga, Ohrid, but also the status that means a lot,” underlined President Siljanovska-Davkova.
