The Balkan Foundation for Sustainable Development (BFSD) with the support of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Italian Ministry of Environment and Territory, and European Academy (EURAC) organized an intergovernmental consultation on “Cooperation for the Protection and Sustainable Development of Mountain Regions in South Eastern Europe”.

Hosted by the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning of the Republic of Macedonia, the meeting was attended by representatives from Ministries of Environment and of civil society, mostly from Balkan countries. Following the Bolzano meeting held on December 2005, participants agreed on a statement, notably:

• Recognizing that a legal framework for the cooperation is feasible;
• Recommending that this legal framework should deal in a integrated approach, including areas such as sustainable agriculture and rural development, forest land use, cultural heritage and traditional knowledge;
• Recognizing that the landmark of this process is the Belgrade 2007 Environment for Europe Conference.

The meeting was an excellent opportunity to strengthen partnerships and synergies between the SARD-M Project, CIHEAM-IAM Bari (SARD-M Project Regional Focal Point for the Mediterranean region) and the Balkan stakeholders.