Capacity strengthening and cooperation of the civic sector and the Ombudsman with environment-related institutions is the goal of workshop "Greening Macedonian Justice", held November 21-22 in Skopje.

Ombudsman Ixhet Memeti stressed the citizens' awareness over environment protection in Macedonia was low.

"An insignificant number of citizens address the Ombudsman with a request for protection of their rights to live in a healthy environment", said Memeti.

Workshop participants focus on European law, as well as methods and practice of the European and Hungarian Ombudsman offices regarding environment protection.

"Experiences in Europe and beyond show there is an increasing trend of establishing new mechanisms for environment protection, such as the case with Hungary's 'green ombudsman'", added Memeti.

Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Abdilaqim Ademi stressed almost all environment-related laws are harmonized with the European law, adding citizens could not achieve their rights until the laws were not enforced by relevant institutions.

"This workshop represents an opportunity for a start of communication among competent bodies on one hand and the NGO sector on the other, which could contribute to environment protection and achievement of sustainable development", said Ademi.

Norwegian Ambassador to Macedonia Kjetil Paulsen said Macedonia undertook significant steps by embracing laws in line with EU requirements.

"Adoption of the required legislation should be accompanied by enforcement. Capacity should be established in all relevant institutions in order to ensure that laws and regulations are implemented in the field, along with appropriate monitoring", underlined Ambassador Paulsen.

The workshop is organized by the Ombudsman Office, center for environmental democracy "Florozon", supported by the Embassies of the United States and the Kingdom of Norway to Macedonia.