NEW VERSION OF THE DRAFT LAW ON PACKING AND WASTE PACKAGING DISCUSSED AT THE PUBLIC DEBATE IN OHRID

On June 27, 2009, in Ohrid, the USAID Plastic Recycling Project organized public debate on the nee Draft Law on Packing and Waste Packaging. The Public debate was supprted as well by the Embassy of the Royal Kingdom of Nederlands, through MATRA-KAP Program. Hosts of honor of the event were Aleksandar Petreski, Mayor of Ohrid, representatives of the Public Utility Company “Ohridski Komunalec”. Representatives of the local governments, public/ private utility companies, MAPEG, the recycling industry and NGO’s had an opportunity to participate in an active manner at the debate.

In their address, Mayor of Ohrid, Aleksandar Petreski, High Representative of the Delegation of EU and Chief of Delegation of the European Commission, Erwan Fouere; the Minister of Environment and Physical Planning, Negati Jakupi, endorsed their support for quick adoption of the Law and welcomed the inclusive process for finalizing the Law.

The Director of the USAID Macedonia Economic Growth Office, Timothy Hammann, spoke of the USAID investment through the Plastic Recycling Project, and highlighted the multidimensional importance of the Law on packing and waste packaging. “The Law on Packaging Waste that is being discussed today will regulate a modern system in line with EU directives where the users of packaging have the responsibility to take care of the used packaging. Its proper implementation will ensure a positive impact on the environment and limit the vulnerability of the recycling industry to the external financial factors,” said Hammann.

In order for the participants to gain first hand information on the implementation of this type of law in neighboring Bulgaria, experts and representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Water, as well as industry representatives, shared their unique insight at the event.   Mrs. Marija Ninova, represented the Ministry, while Tihomir Lazarov, Technical Director of ECOPACK, and Milen Dimitrov, Manger of ECOBULPACK, represented the two largest packaging companies in Bulgaria.

The event in Ohrid was the second public debate organized by the USAID Project for Plastic Recycling. The first presentation of the draft law, followed by a public debate, was organized in Skopje, on March 18, 2009.

On 24 December, 2008, USAID Plastic Recycling Project signed a MOU with the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning for providing technical support in finalizing the Law on packing and waste packaging. Public debates are one of the components of the MOU.

NOTE TO EDITORS:
The American people, through USAID, have invested nearly $500 million in Macedonia since 1993. USAID is implementing projects that create jobs, reduce corruption, and prepare Macedonian students for the workforce. These initiatives improve the quality of life and support Macedonia’s transition to a stable and prosperous democracy. USAID provides economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 100 countries. For more information please visit http://macedonia.usaid.gov.