SKOPJE (Macedonia), December 10 (SeeNews) – Macedonia will implement in the central city of Prilep a wastewater treatment project worth of 18 million euro ($26.5 million), of which six million euro will be provided by the European Union, the EU mission in Skopje said.
On Wednesday, the project Technical assistance for preparation of investment project for wastewater collection and treatment in Prilep was officially opened. It provides assistance for preparation of technically mature and acceptable investment project proposed for investment under the Operational Programme for Regional Development for Macedonia, under the third component of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance, the EU mission said in a statement.
The EU co-funded project provides technical assistance for preparation of the investment project that will include construction of a modern wastewater treatment plant, construction of new sewer lines and rehabilitation of collectors and existing sewerage system.
“The aim is to provide the 76.000 inhabitants of Prilep with a modern wastewater collection system and a wastewater treatment plant compliant with the EU requirements that will result in a significant increase of the water quality in Prilepska River,” the statement said.
"Consequently, the existence of the new wastewater collection and treatment facility will help reducing health hazards for the population and will minimize the risk of contamination of drinking water sources," it added.
The construction of the Prilep’s wastewater treatment plant should start next year and to be finished in 2012, Macedonian broadcaster A1 (www.a1.com.mk) said on Wednesday.
Macedonia has an official EU candidate status as of December 2005, but is still waiting to get a date for starting accession negotiations. Earlier this week, the European Union postponed until next year its decision for launching entry talks with Macedonia, due to the Greece’s opposition to the country's name.
($=0.6783 euro)