UNESCO's first reactive mission came to Zemajwa in 2017, when it was observed that excessive derogation of the characteristics of Оthe hilly region. There has been a vacuum for seven years, when no action was taken at all Пthe management chain Оthe hilly region. We are now seeing the consequences of that, the Minister of Culture, Bisera Kostadinovska-Stojchevska said yesterday in Sitel news.

She added that the Law on the management of Оthe hilly region was adopted in 2010а, but no measures were taken until 2017, which jeopardized the UNESCO status.

– The process for fulfilling the recommendations from UNESCO for the protection of Оthe hill Рaegion is a process that cannot be stopped. We cannot say that we are satisfied and stop there. This process will continue even after the fulfillment of 19 recommendations - said Kostadinovska-Stojchevska.

The minister added that the whole country should be involved in the process of preserving the status of protected heritage in UNESCO, because it is not a process that can be done by one ministry, one municipality or one agency.

- The cancellation of the construction permit for the hotel in Lagadin was ex officio, without using any argument from what the building inspection determined as irregular in 2017 - said the minister.

She added that even during the first annulment of the construction permit, arguments could and should have been given as to why it was annulled.

- The reason they gave is lukewarm and gives the investor a legal remedy, to be able to protest, that he did not notify us in time about the start of the construction - said Kostadinovska-Stojchevska.

The minister emphasized that UNESCO representatives were informed about the situation with the hotel, that the decisions of ОPština, the second-level commission in the Ministry of Transport and Communications and Уthe legal court brought the status quo situation.

– We can also help in Struga, if they don't have facilities or funds. We will find an expert team to map the illegal constructions. If they don't respond to the latest borrowing from the Government, we have a way to send someone there to map the illegally built buildings so we know what we can do next -  she said.

Kostadinovska-Stojchevska added that it is not necessary Оpština to ask for help and said that the revocation of the competences of Оthe desert is not simple, but it is one of the options if the Government's requests are not followed.

The minister added that it will not be the end of the world if we are put on the list of heritage in danger, but it will mean greater controls and referral to UNESCO every year.

She said that the entire public administration should receive a raise, but it should be done systematically.

- I respect the requests of the employees in the Ministry of Culture and I stand by the fact that the entire public administration must receive a raise, but it should be done systematically - said Kostadinovska-Stojchevska.

She added that the salary system in the public administration has been lacking for some time, which is why the Ministry of Culture faces individual lawsuits every day.

- Wages were raised by phone, which caused a distortion in the salary system. I support the employees, because they are the ones who bear the burden of the cultural institutions –  said Kostadinovska-Stojchevska.

The minister believes that due to the economic crisis, the entire public administration should receive a raise, but it should be with a built-in system so as not to allow an intrusion into the salary system for political reasons.