The two-day Regional Workshop “Individual and Regionally-Based Cyber and Hybrid Threats and Challenges in South East Europe” is taking place in Tirana, Republic of Albania, on 02-03 October 2024.
Recognizing the increased significance of cybersecurity and hybrid threats in today’s digital age, the Workshop is jointly organized by RACVIAC – Centre for Security Cooperation, the Ministry of Defense of Albania, and the Military Academy “General Mihailo Apostolski” from Skopje. The event is a part of a broader initiative titled “Strengthening SEE Resilience in Cyber Security Against Hybrid Threats,” aiming to bolster regional and national responses to these pressing issues.
The Workshop was officially opened by H.E. Ambassador Constantin-Mihail Grigorie, Director of RACVIAC, Mr. Dorian Tola, Deputy Minister of Defense of Albania and LTC Dimitar Bogatinov, PhD, representing the Military Academy “General Mihailo Apostolski”.
Ambassador Grigorie began by expressing his sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Defense of Albania for its exceptional role in hosting and organizing the Workshop. He also extended special thanks to the Military Academy “General Mihailo Apostolski” from Skopje for its generous support in the joint project “Strengthening SEE Resilience in Cyber Security Against Hybrid Threats.”
In his opening remarks Ambassador Grigorie emphasized the critical importance of addressing cyber and hybrid threats, which transcend national borders and evolve continuously, requiring both national and regional approaches. He highlighted the unique opportunity presented by this workshop to foster collaboration between South East European countries, underscoring the need to strengthen national strategies while reinforcing regional cooperation.
He noted that the digital age, while offering unparalleled opportunities for development, has also introduced significant vulnerabilities. The Workshop’s objectives, he stated, revolve around identifying these evolving threats and developing resilient strategies capable of addressing both individual and collective challenges. RACVIAC Director stressed the alignment of these efforts with Euro-Atlantic standards, ensuring that national and regional strategies remain in harmony with broader international security frameworks.
He thanked all the experts and participants who traveled from across the region, acknowledging their dedication to enhancing regional security. He expressed hope that the Workshop’s discussions would lead to practical outcomes, reinforcing both national resilience and the overall security of South East Europe.
In his opening remarks, the Deputy Minister of Defense, Dorian Tola, praised the work of RACVIAC, emphasizing its crucial role in fostering stability and cooperation in Southeast Europe. He reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to regional security, highlighting the country’s active participation in initiatives with NATO, the EU, and OSCE. Deputy Minister Tola stressed that Albania will continue to be vigilant against cyber threats, working in close cooperation with allied and partners, putting our efforts to guarantee the security of our infrastructure.
LTC Dimitar Bogatinov emphasized the collaborative research that had been undertaken over the past six months to identify specific cyber and hybrid threats within SEE. „In today’s world, the importance of cyber security cannot be overstated. The war in Ukraine has starkly highlighted how cyber-attacks can disrupt societies, endanger lives, and undermine national security. Cyber threats do not recognize borders, and their scale, speed, and sophistication grow daily.” stressed LTC Bogatinov.
Over the next two days the participants will delve into key topics, including the identification of specific cyber and hybrid threats, the development of resilient societies, and the strengthening of regional responses to these challenges. They will be involved in a series of presentations and group discussions that focus on real-world challenges and solutions related to cyber security and hybrid threats.
The Workshop aims to create a platform for collaborative dialogue, promoting the exchange of best practices and the development of coordinated security strategies across the region.
