Albania, Greece and North Macedonia are joining efforts to include Great Prespa Lake on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The initiative seeks to protect and promote the area’s natural and cultural heritage, according to Greek newspaper Kathimerini.

Greece launched the initiative in 2014. The European Union now supports the process and will finance the initial studies needed to prepare the nomination. The culture ministers of the three countries are expected to meet in Prespa on October 9 to discuss the next steps. The meeting will also include European Commission Ambassador to North Macedonia Michalis Rokas.

The three countries see the initiative as an opportunity to strengthen regional cooperation and attract greater international attention to Prespa. Albanian Culture Minister Blendi Gonxhja has also highlighted opportunities for heritage protection, quality tourism and new prospects for local communities. The nomination would build on existing international protection mechanisms, including the Ramsar Convention and the European Union’s Natura 2000 network. A joint nomination would still require a common dossier and assessment under UNESCO procedures.

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