Country profile - Distinguishing factors (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia)

Environmental governance

Aware of the importance of the environmental pillar in the process of EU integration, the country has placed the environment in a high position on its development agenda. Thus, the environmental sector, although led by the youngest ministry, has grown into the leading sector of the process of approximation with the EU. The outcomes include almost full approximation of national environmental legislation with the EU environmental acquis, a large number of international environmental agreements ratified and applied, and well-established international cooperation. Full implementation and enforcement of the law, however, are yet to be achieved.

The Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning (MEPP) is obliged to create and implement environmental policy, lead environmental protection and be watchful of the use of space and natural resources.

Under the law, MEPP performs activities in relation to: environmental monitoring; protection of waters, soil, flora, fauna, protection of air and the ozone layer; protection against noise pollution and radiation; conservation of biodiversity, geodiversity, national parks and other protected areas; restoration of contaminated elements of the environment; proposals for measures for solid waste management; spatial planning; spatial information systems; supervision within the scope of its responsibility and other activities specified by law.

Constituent bodies of the MEPP include: the State Environmental Inspectorate, Administration of Environment and Office of the Spatial Information System.

Under the Law on Organization and Work of the Bodies of the State Administration, other bodies also have direct or indirect responsibilities for environmental management. Apart from MEPP as the leading body, the following have direct responsibilities in the area of environment: Ministry of Defence through the Directorate for Protection and Rescue; Ministry of Interior; Ministry of Economy; Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Transport and Communications; Ministry of Foreign Affairs.