The EU is engaged in the protection of the natural and cultural heritage in the Lake Ohrid region and funds a project aiming at improving transboundary cooperation and management effectiveness.

The Lake Ohrid region is home to one of the world’s oldest lakes and is one of the most unique sources of biodiversity in Europe. The convergence of distinctive natural values with the quality and diversity of its cultural, material and spiritual heritage makes this region truly unique. Two-thirds of Lake Ohrid is located in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and is inscribed on the World Heritage List as the property “Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid region”.

The integrity of this World Heritage property would be significantly reinforced by extending it to the remaining one-third of Lake Ohrid located in Albania.