Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the initiative during a meeting in the municipality of Prespa with Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni and North Macedonia’s Culture and Tourism Minister Sedat Sulejman.

“Prespa unites us through its nature, history and culture. We want to protect this heritage, create more opportunities for local communities and promote sustainable tourism,” Gonxhja said.

The European Union will provide 2 million euros to fund a feasibility study for the trilateral nomination, he added.

Gonxhja highlighted restoration work on the murals at St. Mary’s Church on Maligrad island, improved lighting at the church and along the access path, and the Sterjo Spasse House Museum in Gollomboç as projects that have enriched the Albanian side of the region’s cultural and tourism offer.

He also cited the EU-funded ACT4PRESPA project, which brings together institutions from all three countries to conserve, digitise and promote the heritage of Great and Small Prespa.

Plans include developing joint tourist routes, research missions and expeditions to promote Prespa and Ohrid, alongside artistic, sporting and youth exchanges between the neighbouring countries.

The joint UNESCO bid aims to strengthen cross-border heritage protection and create new development opportunities for local communities through sustainable tourism.

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The initiative was discussed on Tuesday by Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja during a meeting with Greece’s newly appointed ambassador to Albania, Lambrini Komini.

Gonxhja said Albania welcomed the proposal put forward by Greece’s Culture Ministry and was ready to work with the two other countries to advance the nomination process.

The joint bid for Prespa would go beyond securing UNESCO status, Gonxhja said, arguing that it could raise the region’s international profile and create opportunities for protecting and promoting its cultural heritage, sustainable development and higher-quality tourism.

“The impact goes far beyond the nomination itself. It means greater international attention for Prespa, more opportunities to protect and promote its cultural heritage, sustainable development, quality tourism and a new perspective for local communities,” Gonxhja said.

Prespa, which is shared by the three countries, represents both a common responsibility and an opportunity for cooperation, Gonxhja said.

The aim is to develop Prespa into a European model of cross-border cooperation, where nature, culture and tourism can help strengthen ties between Albania, Greece and North Macedonia while creating new development opportunities for local communities, he said.

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