The development of Vardar valley is not just interesting for Macedonia but for the neighbouring countries, as well as for EU. For example, a very concrete proposal has been drafted on the development of this area by the European Council in the study "Physical Planning of the European Problem" in 1970.

The development of Vardar valley is seen through:

• Construction of facilities from the sphere of energy
• Construction of an agricultural development system
• Construction of traffic arteries for road and railway
• Construction of facilities for development of tourism, sports and recreation
• Construction of environmental protection water, soil, and air systems and monuments of culture
• Construction of a possible water corridor Danube-Morava-Vardar-Aegean Sea

Protection: Protection should be seen from the point of view of soil protection, water protection and protection of monuments of culture

• The importance of Vardar valley can be seen from the fact that it absorbs 80% of the total basin area in Macedonia. Because of that, from an environmental point of view, it is quite understandable to protect the quality of the water of River Vardar with its tributaries.

Approximate funds needed for the protection of Vardar valley:

• For water protection $ 227.5 million
• For soil protection $ 60.0 million
• For protection of monuments of culture $ 20 million

The total budget for treatment facilities (10 in towns and tributaries), technological and chemical facilities (132)and cunstruction of landfills for solid waste worth $ 307.5 million.

Most of the rivers and lake are shared between Macedonia and the neighbouring countries, so their pollution and protection is a regional problem. Their utilization and protection is regulated with various international conventions. For example, Macedonia is obligated to comply with the Barcelona Convention for Protection of the Mediteranean Sea from Pollution dated 1976.