The project will be implemented in the border crossing area between Greece and Republic of North Macedonia, at the municipalities of Prespes and Resen
Regarding the Greek side, the Municipality of Prespa is located in the northwestern part of the Regional Unit of Florina, Western Macedonia Region, Greece and is of a great meaning within the Spatial Planning of the Region of Western Macedonia.
The Prespa water body (Great Prespa Lake) connects three countries, Greece, Albania and the Republic of North Macedonia and is the region’s most important wetland protected by the Ramsar Convention.
The intermediate area of the two lakes is considered to be the most important area of natural beauty and is the largest and richest – in terms of biodiversity – National Park of Greece, which belongs to the Natura 2000 Network. It combines rich historical and cultural heritage, the Prespa – Pisoderi area in Florina is one of the most important tourist destinations of the Region.
The border crossing point of Lemos was operated until 1967 between Greece and the Republic of North Macedonia and served the inhabitants of the region in both sides of the border. The border crossing was abolished and although the relations between the two countries were smooth after 1974, the border crossing has never been restored.
Following the Joint Declaration of the Prime Ministers in February 2000, on the establishment of the first cross-border protected area in the Balkans, the need for sustainable development in the area, while protecting the environment, raised the issue of local border crossings and cross border waterborne movements.
The attempted reopening of the border crossing between the two countries will help the tourism development of the region, due to the location of the project, which is the common Prespa Border Park, a place of special natural beauty and potential for tourist development, which will be strengthened by the opening of the border crossing point
