February 6, 2009, Prespa - An international team led by the Regional Environmental Centre (REC) in Hungary, completed a series of national workshops in Florina (Greece), Korca (Albania) and Resen (FYR Macedonia) within the frame of the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis. 

The views and concerns of stakeholders voiced during the meetings represent one of the first stepping stones in updating the 2003 Strategic Action Plan (SAP) for the transboundary Prespa Park.

All three meetings, held between February 3-5, identified similar environmental issues of concern and a good awareness of activities in their neighbouring countries. Even more important - all the participants showed an enthusiastic interest in the environment and the need to protect it in the future, says TDA leading expert, Dr Peter Whalley.

The workshops are part of the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) which focuses on the characterisation of the basin (e.g. the land use or biodiversity) and the pressures (e.g. pollution from agriculture, domestic waste, industry, etc.) on the ecosystem.

This information is then used to work with countries to agree a common SAP that will prioritise the investments that are needed. This important document will establish an agreed vision for the future of Prespa Park that will benefit the social-economic development of the local population and protect the unique ecosystem.

Over the coming weeks the REC team will develop national reports and these will be combined to provide a single overview of the current situation of Lake Prespa that will be agreed at a meeting of the Prespa Park Coordination Committee.

Updating of the 2003 Strategic Action Plan (SAP) is an important part of the UNDP/GEF Prespa Regional Project, as it will outline the expectations for the park by the peoples living in all three countries, and the important or potential problems to be addressed.♦