Could you describe the main activities of the Geological Survey of Macedonia and its public role in FYROM? The Geological Survey of the Republic of Macedonia is an expert, independent, administrative organization, established for doing basic geological research of public interest in the Republic of Macedonia. Most of our activities are focused mainly on the development of geological research related in particular to the preparation of basic geological, hydrogeological, engineering-geology, geochemical and seismotectonic maps and other geological maps, making them available to the public . All the work that we carry out is done on the basis of – and following the – priorities of the Republic of Macedonia We are very active also in the determination of the legal regularity of concentration and distribution of natural mineral resources in the Earth’s crust. In particular, we take part in the preparation of the Strategy for geological research, use and sustainable exploitation of minerals. Moreover our geological knowledge is essential for physical planning, construction, water supply, agriculture, forestry, urbanization and construction of infrastructure facilities, helping policy makers to make the best choices for the development of our country. We really believe in the exchange of geological information and experiences with international geological institutions in order to prepare and develop common research projects and to unify synergies for the implementation of the International Geological Information System, a single Geological Information System, able to provide information and data to the users of geological research results. We are also developing a Programme for basic geological research of the area of the Republic of Macedonia for the Government of the Republic of Macedonia The basic geological research is developed through an Annual Programme, which is adopted by the Government of the Republic of Macedonia upon advice of the Geological...

EuroGeoSurveys Membership –composed solely by the Geological Surveys of Europe – keeps growing steadily. At the EuroGeoSurveys General Meeting, held in Brussels on 24th March, EuroGeoSurveys welcomed 3 new members: the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVGMC), the Geological Surveys of Serbia (GSS) and the Geological Survey of the Republic of Macedonia (GSRM). The vote, held in the morning during a closed-door session, brought the EGS Membership to 37 Geological Surveys, therefore almost fully covering the whole Europe. Ms. Anita Drondina, Head of Environment, Climate Change and Regional Policy Division at the Permanent Representation to the EU of Latvia, current President of the EU, and Ms. Inita Stikute, LVGMC Board Chair person, gave a presentation on the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVGMC) and their interest in joining EGS as Full Member. The Geological Survey of Serbia (GSS) application as a Full Member was introduced by H.E. Ambassador Dusko Lopandic, Head of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Serbia to the European Union, while Mr. Dragoman Rabrenovic, Director of GSS, presented the organization. H.E. Ambassador Andrej Lepavcov, Head of the Mission of the Republic of Macedonia to the European Union, introduced the application of the Geological Survey of Macedonia (GSRM). After the presentation of the Survey given by the Director Mr. Kostadin Jovanov, GSRM was officially introduced as Full Member of EGS. Moreover, in the afternoon session EuroGeoSurveys and the Geological Survey of Turkey (MTA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement was signed by EGS President Mr. Koen Verbruggen and the MTA Director General Mr. Yusuf Ziya Cosar and is aimed to exchange scientific and technical experience and knowledge in areas such as marine geology, waste characterisation, climate change, preparation of geochemical atlas, etc. The enlargement of the EGS Membership,...