Skopje, 21 March 2023 (MIA) - Minister of Information Society and Administration Azir Aliu is heading the Macedonian delegation at the bilateral screening meeting on Chapter 10 - Information Society and Media in Brussels on Tuesday.

The meeting with representatives of the Directorate-General on European Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations and the Directorate-General on Communications Networks, Content and Technology focused on various aspects of the degree of alignment of North Macedonia's legislation with the EU Acquis, the Ministry of Information Society and Administration said in a press release.

Minister Aliu said reforms in the information society and media sector are high on the Government's agenda, representing a prerequisite for digital transformation of the society. He gave a brief overview of the legislation harmonization progress in the fields of electronic communications and regulation, audiovisual and media policies and e-services.

Aliu said roaming prices among countries of the Western Balkans and with the EU have dropped, accompanied by continued harmonization of the national legislation with the EU Radio Spectrum Policy. In addition, the two mobile operators in North Macedonia are already offering 5G services.

The Minister also said the Government has adopted the National Operational Broadband Plan that is fully aligned with the EU rules on national broadband targets.

On planned activities in the coming period, Aliu said focus will be placed on adopting the Law on Security of Network and Information Systems, in line with the NIS Directive, adoption of a National Strategy on Cybersecurity of Networks and Information Systems, as well as establishment of a National Cybersecurity Coordination Center.

A significant step on the reform path, he added, is the adoption of the National ICT strategy based in the EU Digital Compass.

In addition, the process of harmonizing the national legislation with the Audiovisual Media Services Directive is ongoing, a process that involves all stakeholders in the sector, reads the press release.

Photo: Ministry of Information Society and Administration