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The Prespa lake basin is one of the most important natural and cultural treasures of Southeastern Europe. As a Natura 2000 and Ramsar area<\/strong>, and as Europe\u2019s first Transboundary Park (1999)<\/strong>, Prespa has become a reference point for peace, ecology, and European cooperation.<\/p>\n The Master Plan for the Prespa Cross-Border Border Crossing and the Sustainable Development of the Prespa Park<\/strong>, implemented with the support of DG REGIO, DG NEAR\/ENEST, EUSAIR<\/strong>, and a wide network of institutions from Greece, North Macedonia, and Albania<\/strong>, currently represents one of the most comprehensive EU good practices in cross-border cooperation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The plan practically integrates key European policies related to:<\/p>\n Cohesion Policy and European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Green Transition and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Sustainable tourism and local development<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Climate adaptation and biodiversity protection<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Total indicative budget:<\/strong> \u20ac50 million for projects and studies.<\/p>\n The project for the preparation and construction includes:<\/p>\n buildings for customs and border control<\/p>\n<\/li>\n equipment and protective shelters<\/p>\n<\/li>\n a full set of environmental, technical, geotechnical and hydrological studies<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Funding:<\/strong> This includes the reconstruction of the Markova Noga border crossing<\/strong>, with:<\/p>\n modern water supply and sewage systems<\/p>\n<\/li>\n electromechanical installations<\/p>\n<\/li>\n fire protection systems<\/p>\n<\/li>\n heating systems and photovoltaic energy installations<\/p>\n<\/li>\n architectural, structural and electromechanical design studies<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Funding:<\/strong> Funding:<\/strong> The project includes comprehensive:<\/p>\n technical studies<\/p>\n<\/li>\n environmental studies<\/p>\n<\/li>\n geological and topographical studies<\/p>\n<\/li>\n transport engineering studies<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Funding:<\/strong><\/p>\n Studies: Construction: Objective: Funding:<\/strong> This is the most emblematic component of the plan<\/strong>, functioning in synergy with the other projects.<\/p>\n It includes:<\/p>\n A car-free zone around the lakes<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Floating platforms and soft infrastructure for eco-tourism<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Solar-powered electric boats<\/strong> for ecological tours<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Integration with local high-quality food production and gastronomy<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Promotion of local architecture and biodiversity<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Support for the recognition of Prespa as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Funding:<\/strong><\/p>\n IPA 2014\u20132020<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Synergy with the EU Prespa Fund: \u20ac21,726,000<\/strong> supporting the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n The Prespa Master Plan represents one of the most complex examples of multi-level governance in Europe<\/strong>.<\/p>\n A total of 17 institutions participate<\/strong>, including:<\/p>\n Joint Expert Committee of Greece \u2013 North Macedonia<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Interreg Managing Authority \/ Working Group<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Region of Western Macedonia<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Municipality of Prespa (Greece) and Municipality of Resen (North Macedonia)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n European Union through DG REGIO, EU Delegations, UNDP, Ministry of Macedonia\u2013Thrace, and EGTCs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Joint Working Group established in 2025<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Prespa Park committees and environmental organisations<\/p>\n<\/li>\n This cross-border governance model<\/strong> is already recognised by the EU as a good practice of territorial governance in the Balkans<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n
\n1. New Cross-Border Opening at Lemos (Prespa)<\/h1>\n
1.1 Infrastructure on the Greek Side<\/h2>\n
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Interreg Greece \u2013 North Macedonia 2014\u20132020 and 2021\u20132027<\/p>\n
\n1.2 Infrastructure in North Macedonia<\/h2>\n
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Interreg Greece \u2013 North Macedonia 2014\u20132020 and 2021\u20132027<\/p>\n
\n1.3 Additional Customs Infrastructure \u2013 North Macedonia<\/h2>\n
IPA 2014\u20132020 \/ IPA 2021\u20132025<\/p>\n
\na. Road Connection Lemos \u2013 Border Crossing<\/h1>\n
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Just Transition Programme of Western Macedonia 2014\u20132020<\/p>\n
Regional Operational Programme of Western Macedonia and national funds 2021\u20132027<\/p>\n
\nb. Upgrade of the Lemos Settlement<\/h1>\n
Urban regeneration, upgrading and sustainable development of the settlement, creating attractive conditions for visitors and residents.<\/p>\n
Regional Operational Programme of Western Macedonia (2014\u20132020 and 2021\u20132027)<\/p>\n
\nc. Master Plan for the Sustainable Development of Prespa Park<\/h1>\n
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\nd. Institutional Implementation Network<\/h1>\n
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\nThe Prespa Master Plan Represents<\/h1>\n