2/5/07. José María Castroviejo, the Spanish ambassador to Bosnia-Herzegovina, arrived in Mallorca today to take part in a number of events. By his own request, his programme included a visit to Son Pons, headquarters of the Black Vulture Conservation Foundation (BVCF) in Campanet, Mallorca.
The BVCF began its work in the Balkans in 1990 with the objective of compiling data on the conservation status of the Black Vulture and planning measures for the species’ recovery. In 1991, it was forced to suspend its activities by the outbreak of war in the region, until 2002, when the situation allowed for recommencement of conservation work. The BVCF presented local governments and ecological organisations with a proposal for the Balkan Vulture Recovery Action Plan, which is now being carried out in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Greece.
Putting this plan into action has, up to now, involved setting up more than 40 projects. All this has been made possible as a result of financial assistance from the Frankfurt Zoological Society and the European Commission. In addition, the BVCF has received assistance from the Fons Mallorquí de Solidaritat i Cooperació, and support from the EUFOR Spanish Contingent stationed in Mostar.
In 2006, the BVCF received a significant financial contribution from the AECI (Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional) to carry out an eco-development project in rural areas in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia. Mr. Castroviejo, has shown considerable interest in this project.
The ambassador toured the Foundation facilities and shared refreshments with Foundation personnel and the European volunteers who cooperate in the preservation of the Black Vulture in Mallorca.

“I was very impressed with the condition of the property. It is very apparent that the personnel and volunteers work eagerly to keep it in a good condition and that they take pleasure in carrying out their tasks," Mr. Castroviejo said after his visit.

Referring to the project being carried out by the BVCF in Bosnia, the ambassador underlined the importance of this kind of action in the recovery of the area. "After the armed conflict, the Balkans area is very run-down, and the people are demoralised, which is why the project being carried out by the Black Vulture Conservation Foundation is so crucial in raising the spirit of the people and bolstering life in the area. I know the villages where the BVCF is working; they are lovely places, which will benefit greatly from ecotourism. This environmental project is a worthy complement to the other two projects, social and cultural, carried out by Spanish cooperation in this same area."