Prespa Park
A
Strategic Vision for the Prespa Park
Following the Declaration of the Prime Ministers of
Albania, Greece and the FYR of Macedonia, on the
creation of the transboundary Prespa
Park, the three neighbouring countries were faced with the necessity for the development
of a joint strategy for the preservation of the unique values and the promotion
of sustainable development for the region. Towards
this direction the “Strategic Action Plan for the
sustainable development of the Prespa Park” (SAP) was elaborated
aiming at the clarification of a common
vision for the area and the setting of specific objectives for the future.
According
to the SAP, the main aim of the Prespa Park is the preservation of the valuable
natural and cultural characteristics of the whole of Prespa through management
methods and development initiatives, that enhance the standard of living of its
inhabitants as well as promote peace and friendship between the three peoples,
and lead to economic and social prosperity and convergence.
Based on
the aforementioned document, the joint strategy for the Prespa Park and the
main policy fields to be pursued, could be summarised as follows:
- Conservation of the ecological values and
the biological diversity in the Prespa Park area. This will be pursued
mainly through the promotion of the wise water management in the basin,
joint monitoring programmes among the three countries, sustainable
utilisation of natural resources and transboundary activities for
environmental protection and management.
- Enhancement of opportunities for the
sustainable economic and social development of local societies and the
wise use of natural resources for the benefit of both nature and people.
To this effect should be promoted the following: a balanced development
planning with emphasis on all sectors, environment-friendly solutions with
regard to energy production and management of natural resources,
productive activities contributing to environmental protection and management,
as well as intra-communication between the three parts of the Prespa
basin.
- Preservation of the cultural values
in the Prespa Park area, such as monuments, traditional settlements and
traditional human activities and cultural elements that promote sustainable
management of natural resources.
- Participation, co-operation and
involvement in decision-making of the local stakeholders in the three
countries. To this direction
the promotion of
a culture of peace in the area and strengthening of the local stakeholders
so that to increase their participation in the management of the area will
be pursued.
