According to Jaupaj, this project has been a cornerstone in improvement of the Prespa National Park, preserving biodiversity, reducing pressure on aquatic ecosystems and increasing sustainability for communities living in this special natural region.

Minister Jaupaj stated that this meeting took place at the new Visitor Center of the Drilon-Tushemisht Park, another proof of the success of the inter-institutional cooperation with the municipality of Pogradec and AADF in the protection of natural resources and the development of responsible tourism.

“Korça region, with its natural jewels, creates an ecotourism constellation that can be promoted to be enjoyed by visitors throughout the year, contributing to the development of the local community,” said Jaupaj. /e.i/r.e/a.f/p.s./

According to the agency, the bird species in the National Park “Lake Prespa” are the cormorant with 56 individuals, the coot with 33 individuals and the white mew with 13 individuals.

The International Waterbird Census is a very important activity, which was also held in Albania last year.

About 143 countries from all over the world carry out such an important study. Where different populations of waterbirds require different monitoring schemes.

The International Waterbird Census includes all types of natural and man-made wetlands, as well as all bird species found in these habitats.

The National Agency for Protected Areas, experts and volunteers from environmental organizations who regularly participate in this important moment for fauna in Albania contributed to its realization. /p.s./

Lake Prespa is one of the main habitats for the curly pelican in Albania.

The National Administration of Protected Areas reported that in implementation of all the necessary protocols, a group of its specialists in cooperation with ornithological experts, represented by environmental organizations and nature lovers, are conducting during these days the process of observation and counting of the curly pelican at the predetermined points./p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared photos from the village of Pustec in the social media, inviting visitors to visit it not only in spring time.

Rama described the views of Pustec village by Lake Prespa as rare in this spring season, where everything has started to bloom.

Pustec municipality consists of 9 villages. Lake Prespa adds a special beauty to this area. Prespa offers tourists numerous opportunities to explore it. Pusteci can be visited by land or by boat.

The Maligrad Island, otherwise known as the “island of snakes”, is one of the most special attractions that can be reached in 20 minutes by boat, starting from the center of the municipality or from the village of Pustec. In Pustec, one can find some nice churches as well./r.e/p.s./

This park offers an unusual experience for tourists and travelers who choose to visit it.

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today in the social media views from this park, where water sports enthusiasts frequent it in these February days.

Rama wrote that with the energy of natural sports that it provides, Prespa National Park is the perfect destination for an eco-friendly weekend.

Prespa National Park is one of the largest natural parks in Albania extending over an area of 27,500 ha. This park is a unique combination of high cliffs, green fields and blue waters of the Lake Prespa, which is also one of the largest lakes in the Balkans. It hosts a wide range of fauna and flora, serving as home to over 1500 species of plants, 261 species of birds, 21 species of fish and many other species that make this area a natural paradise.

This park is an important place for ecotourism. In addition to offering an extraordinary natural experience, it also helps to conserve the biodiversity of this particular area.

For those who are interested in exploring the beauties of the Prespa National Park, they can follow organized trips and hiking tours to discover the depths of this region.

Around the lake, the visitors have the opportunity to enjoy the fascinating view of the blue waters, as well as enjoy the freshness of the nature that surrounds them.

In addition to the natural beauties, the Prespa National Park has a great influence on the culture and history of Albania./k.s/r.e/p.s./

Attending the event were Prefect of Korça region Nertil Jole, General Director of the National Agency of Protected Areas Daniel Pirushi, Director of National Agency of Protected Areas in Korça Gjergji Koki, representatives of municipalities, representatives from PONT and environmental organizations working in the territory.

The meeting focused on the presentation of the current situation for both areas and on issues that require the cooperation and joint interaction of all actors.

Prefect Jole said that, “The long-term objective is to encourage implementation of sustainable models of ecological development in protected areas and national parks, the preservation of the ecosystem of biological diversity as well as the reduction of unsustainable or abusive pressure on natural resources”.

“Prespa” National Park is part of the protected areas of category 2, a decision which was announced in 1999. The specific representatives of the flora and fauna in the park are juniper, Balkan chamois, brown bear and curly pelican.

Some natural monuments in the park are: Zaveri Cave, Djellas Monastery Oaks, Maligrad Island, and Tren Cave.

Lake Pogradec is the deepest tectonic lake in the Balkans (289m). On July 5, 2019, due to the high biological and cultural wealth of Lake Ohrid, the Albanian part of it, together with the surrounding area, was included in the UNESCO Mixed Natural and Cultural World Heritage List. /k.s/p.s./

Director of the Regional Administration of Protected Areas Korça Gjergji Koki shared on social networks a photo album with a view of the National Park and the information center ready to receive visitors.

Tourists will have the opportunity to receive information about the natural and cultural tourist points that can be visited in the Park, the traditional architectural techniques of the area’s dwellings, as well as the traditional architectural techniques of the landscape (fences, enclosures, barns, stables).

The information center for tourists is located at the entrance of the Prespa National Park, in the village of Lajthiza.

This center was opened thanks to the cooperation of: National Agency of Protected Areas, KFW Albania, GFA Consulting group, German Cooperation and European Heritage Volunteers./p.s./

Attending the session were Secretary-General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg, President of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski, President of Croatia Zoran Milanovic and President of Montenegro Jakov Milatovic.

In his speech to the session, President Begaj appreciated the positive effects produced by the Prespa Agreement, not only for the normalization of relations between North Macedonia and Greece, but above all for North Macedonia’s membership in NATO and the expansion of the area of Euro-Atlantic security.

Begaj considered the courage and vision of the leaders who reached this agreement a very good example for the entire region.

Also, referring to the brutal, unprovoked and unjustified Russian military aggression in Ukraine, he underlined that the effects of this aggression are multiple, particularly highlighting the direct effect in the Western Balkans region.

Referring to Kosovo and the public agreement reached in Ohrid between Kosovo and Serbia, Begaj underlined that today nobody can question the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kosovo, since Kosovo is an irreversible political reality.

Meanwhile, referring to the Prespa agreement, Begaj underlined that it is the right time for the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia to undertake the historical responsibilities, to advance the process of reconciliation and normalization of relations between them.

Begaj also appreciated the current geopolitical developments and their influence on the democratization processes, underlining that we have learned from history that democracy is not irreversible and immediate and coordinated tolerance or inaction in defense of democratic institutions and values makes the transition from democracy to autocracy just a matter of time.

At the end of the speech, the president called for the delivery of a common message of the leaders from this forum, underlining that despite the geopolitical situations, the future of the region will be in the European and Euro-Atlantic family./p.s./

The National Agency of Protected Areas put on social media moments from the visit of tourists to these areas.

“A group of German tourists, passionate about nature and birdwatching, were accompanied by the staff of the National Agency of Protected Areas Korça, where they had the opportunity to get to know Prespa National Park, as well as to do birdwatching”, wrote the agency.

Birdwatching tourism is attracting more and more visitors.

This type of tourism is a good opportunity to bring people closer to birds and show them what characteristics and values each bird has.

Equipped with binoculars and telescopes, the group of bird enthusiasts aims to show that enthusiasm for birds should serve to protect them.

The tourism of observing birds or wild animals is already turning into a real tourist movement for our country as well./p.s./

These cameras will be placed in context of the growing cooperation between Prespa National Park and “Bavarian Forest” National Park, Germany.

The monitoring results and photos will provide a clear picture of biodiversity in Prespa National Park.

The National Agency of Protected Areas said today that by Dr. Christian Fiderer, wildlife monitor in the National Park, “Bavarian Forest” will visit Albania this week.

During the days of stay in Albania, Dr. Fiderer will visit the Prespa National Park as well as the Shebenik National Park.

KfW project for Prespa has supported the cooperation between the national parks in Albania and Germany, as a positive step for the exchange of experiences and building of capacities.

The “Prespa” National Park was qualified as a protected area in category 2, a decision which was announced in 1999. The specific representatives of the flora and fauna in the park are the juniper (Juniperus excelsa), (Centaurea prespana), (Viola eximia), goat e wild Balkan (Rupicapra r. balcanica), brown bear (Ursus arctos) curly pelican (Pelicanus Crispus).

Natural monuments in the park are: Venjat e Kallamasitrit, Zgavra e Zaverit, Dushqet e Manastirit Djellas, Maligrad Isle, Gurët e Mumjes, Tren Cave. /k.s/j.p/p.s./