Protecting Lake Ohrid, Albania and Macedonia

The relations between dictatorial regime of Albania and former Yugoslavia have been very weird. Initially friendly, and then enemies. During WWII, the Communist Party of Yugoslavia helped Albania to create the Communist Party and to choose as first leader Mr. Enver Hoxha (1941).  The beginning of these relations were very strong, and Yugoslavia helped the poor economy of Albania that time. But the aim of Yugoslavia was to turn Albania into its vassal or to integrate into Yugoslavia. The relations become tense and there was a moment where Enver Hoxha decided to turn the direction for closer relations with Soviet Union, splitting definitely with Yugoslavia. That moment the leader of Yugoslavia Josif Broz Tito threatened Enver Hoxha that he will close the gates of Ohrid lake, from which flows the waters to Drin river, the only source for supplying Albania with energy. Than Enver Hoxha replied back: If you close the gates of Ohrid, I will drill the Mountain (Mali i Thate), open a

Lake Ohrid Albanian side is inscribed into UNESCO, joining the Macedonian part of the Lake OHRID, which is part of world heritage since 1979 as a natural heritage, and in 1980 as a cultural heritage. Lake Ohrid is one of 19 mixed heritage worldwide, cultural and natural property. Today in BAKU, Azerbajan, was voted that Albanian side of Lake Ohrid be joined to the other part of the lake, as a world protected property. Why this moment is important? Because the integrity of this lake can not be preserved if the whole lake is treated, protected and managed as a whole. Three years ago, designed to support both countries in their efforts to protect the Ohrid Lake area, the project “Towards strengthened governance of the shared transboundary natural and cultural heritage of the Lake Ohrid region” focused on the protection of culture as well as nature, recognising their multiple values, addressing the main threats and harnessing opportunities through a sustainable development approach. It