INTERVIEW WITH THE AMBASSADOR OF THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS IN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA, WOUTER PLOMP

“I know many people who make their utmost efforts to separate their household waste, but when you go out and try to dispose it, there are simply not enough containers, or those containers are half – destroyed. So I end up bringing the paper, glass and plastic to the Embassy, from where “Pakomak” and “Nula Otpad” pick it up.“.

1. What is your personal view of the environmental issues in Macedonia and evaluation of the efforts the country overtakes to improve the situation?

Macedonia is a very lucky country to have such a high level of natural variety in a relatively small geographical area. The mountains, the lakes or the rivers – they are natural treasures of immense value. For an instance, the Ohrid lake is not only a UNESCO site, but it is soon to be designated as an official Ramsar site. On the other hand, one cannot but notice the pollution which is visible almost everywhere. And this is not only an esthetic problem but a life-threatening issue. To start solving the pollution and waste problem in the country a joint approach is necessary of the central and local government, the civil sector and the businesses, but also the citizens.

2. Proposals and experiences to improve the environmental conditions in the country?

We recently had a conference with the Ombudsman and representatives from almost all municipalities. We heard about the challenges they are faced with when it comes to solid waste management, but also about the efforts the Ministry of Environment takes or is planning to take in the coming period. Macedonia is not the only country faced with the problem, so there is a lot we can learn from each other. In this respect, waste separation and waste recycling are among the first things that need to be addressed. Back in the Netherlands we are reusing or recycling over 80 percent of the waste, and the rest is used for energy production. I know many people who make their utmost efforts to separate their household waste, but when you go out and try to dispose it, there are simply not enough containers, or those containers are half – destroyed. So I end up bringing the paper, glass and plastic to the Embassy, from where “Pakomak” and “Nula Otpad” pick it up. Recycling has to be made easier for the citizens, and this will to a large extent decrease the amount of residual waste, together with composting of the organic waste which can really be done by every family, whether they live in a building or a house. The industrial waste is another big issue I notice especially when mountaineering. Huge piles of bricks, cement or old windows are simply being disposed in the middle of the mountain, and this cannot be allowed.

3. What bothers you the most from an environmental point of view, compared to the other European countries and the Netherlands?

The other European countries and the Netherlands have not always been as clean and environmentally aware as they are now. This requires a lot of work, starting from the homes, through the schools, the companies and the government. What bothers me most is the lack of initiative, the lack of action on the side of many of these stakeholders. We all have to begin from our own yards – think globally, but act locally.

4. What are the natural beauties you enjoy the most in Macedonia?

Coming from the flat lands, it is absolutely the mountains that I enjoy the most, but also the lakes. Birdwatching is my hobby and I spend every free moment I have to admire the beautiful bird species and their nesting grounds in Macedonia – like the pelicans in Prespa or the colorful bee-eaters and hoopoes, who have just returned to their Skopje homes.

5. Your personal views regarding the environmental actions you have been involved in?

The environmental actions we organize with Pakomak and Pivara Skopje are always a great experience! Seeing the before and after photos is really rewarding, as well as the excellent team building we have every time. We are already preparing the next one which should take place end of April and I hope that this time more citizens can join us, so we can clean a bigger area.

6. The cooperation between the Dutch Embassy and “Pakomak”?

The public – private partnership we have established with “Pakomak” is a good example of the concept of one plus one being three. Apart from the traditional clean up actions together we organized the Green Planet shows for primary school children around Macedonia. I enjoyed seeing those children learning how recycling can be fun and I know that they are the future engines of change in the country.

7. Other environmental projects promoted and supported by the Dutch Embassy?

Promotion of cycling is a continuous project of ours, and it is more a lifestyle we are trying to promote than a project per se. We as an Embassy are trying to use the bicycle as the basic means of transport and in Skopje I really arrive faster at any meeting when I’m on a bike. For that purpose, we have three Embassy bikes (which is more than the Embassy cars we have). We will soon launch a campaign to decrease the use of plastic bags in the country and I hope “Pakomak” will also join us.