Montenegro

UNDP in Montenegro

Vranjina/Shkodra, 18-19/10/2005

Under the "Dinaric Arc Initiative" UNDP in cooperation with UNESCO-ROSTE organized first international meeting on Lake Scadar:
"Lake Skadar – International designations for territorial development"

International Meeting on Lake Scadar is the first event in Montenegro, organized as part of the DAI - regional "Dinaric Arc Initiative" developed and launched by the group of international organizations working in the region: WWF, UNESCO-ROSTE (Regional Bureau for Science in Europe); World Conservation Union – IUCN; UNDP and Council of Europe.

Host of the event, United Nations Development Programme - UNDP in cooperation with UNESCO-ROSTE office from Venice, gathered in this important meeting decision-makers at the highest level – Prime Ministers of Montenegro and Albania Milo Djukanovic and Sali Berisha and Ministers of ecology of Montenegro and Albania, Boro Vucinic and Lufter Xhuveli, representatives of the local governments, businessmen, relevant institutions, local and international experts and organizations, as well as the civil sector representatives from the region.

Opening the Meeting on cross-border vision of the Lake Scadar, which represents shared wealth and potential of Montenegro and Albania, Prime Ministers of the two Republics expressed their views of the cooperation and pointed out the most important coordinates for the joint plan of action for the sustainable management of the Lake and its natural resources.

"Through the cooperation between the two countries, with the international assistance, we should estimate and consider future valorisation and development of Lake Scadar. It is very important to define goals and dynamics for the protection of Lake Scadar eco-system starting with the protection of the Lake from the pollution, but also considering its historical and architectural heritage" said Prime Minister Djukanovic and added that "future cooperation should be established to design the plan for use of economic resources of the Lake in the areas of tourism, agriculture and services".

" Today we took part in the Dinaric Initiative which should help us turn the Lake Scadar region into the Euro-zone of piece, prosperity, friendship and understanding. We have to use all the natural and historical treasures to make this euro-region tourist destination from Lezh to Bar. We have to attract the tourists to visit both of our countries, to intensify cooperation in the areas of culture, education and environmental protection", said Prime Minister of Albania, Sali Berisha. 

Philippe Pypaert, from UNESCO/ROSTE Venice Office opened the Meeting highlighting the importance of the joint project for protection of Lake Scadar, especially in the times when both Montenegro and Albania are determined to European integrations.

International Meeting on Lake Scadar continued its cross-border session in Shkodra, Albania on 19 October 2005 in organization of IUCN and REC Albania.