Skopje, 4 September 2022 (MIA) – Starting Monday, North Macedonia will host a four-day NATO Communicators Conference that will bring together over 300 participants from NATO member-states and partners, discussing on topics related to strategic communications, public relations, information operations and psychological operations. “This will be an intellectual, political and strategic debate that will produce ideas and practical solutions on open issues in the field of strategic communications as a tool for leaders to support the Alliance’s efforts in defense and deterrence from all potential security challenges in NATO member-states,” Defense Minister Slavjanka Petrovska told a press briefing on Sunday. In the coming days, participants will discuss information activities during the Russian invasion in Ukraine, cooperation with partners in the field, the Alliance’s new strategic concept and digital communications. Various topics will be debated at various locations in Skopje, while offering solutions and exchanging positions. “We are united in NATO not only in the search for the truth but also in the systemic and continued management of disinformation that is trying to undermine the system and instill fear among citizens. In this fight, NATO communicators play the main role in transferring the Alliance’s message and preventing fake news,” said Petrovska. Jay Janzen, Strategic Communications Director at NATO, said the conference would bring together representatives from 30 allies, demonstrating unity and cohesion of the Alliance in North Macedonia. “We at NATO know and want to communicate by sharing messages. Our messages are truly important. One of the things we want to focus on is the war in Ukraine, where the aggressor is using disinformation as one of its weapons. We have seen that communication is used as a weapon not only in Ukraine but also in our member-states by using fake news and disinformation shared on our territory,” said Janzen. Therefore, he added, we believe that we have to demonstrate our unity and say what is important for us as NATO. “It is vital to say that we are here as an international organization that observes our founding document – the Washington Treaty. By being here, we are showing that together we are stronger and can overcome anything,” underlined Janzen.