Skopje, 6 May 2023 (MIA) - Defense Minister Slavjanka Petrovska took part Saturday at forum "Increasing Awareness of the Hybrid Threats: Strengthening Resilience in the Western Balkans", organized by the Euro Atlantic Council of Macedonia, focused on the vulnerability of societies to hybrid threats and the need to strengthen the comprehensive societal resilience to these threats as a key aspect in reducing their damaging effect.

Minister Petrovska said the world is living in a time when the security environment is unpredictable and complex because various global actors use non-military means and methods to create instability, the Ministry of Defense said in a press release.

"Hybrid threats, including the spread of fake news and disinformation, can cause enormous damages in a society without using a single soldier or military means. Their negative influence can be reflected in the democratic capacities of our society, reducing the citizens' trust in democratically elected governments, as well as the citizens' perception that institutions do not have the capacity to cope with this negative phenomenon," said Petrovska.

The only efficient response, she added, is the enlargement of our approach to security, jointly with all stakeholders of society and our allies.

"Our plans to build the society's resilience should include infrastructure, energy and communications systems, food and water supply systems, climate change, as well as technological development. Every society has the need to build capacities to manage new challenges, in the same way and commitment as capacities to manage a conventional threat are built," noted Petrovska.

She added that North Macedonia is committed to the development of its own capacities in countering hybrid threats, while also developing the public awareness and need for critical thinking and recognizing disinformation in parallel.

The Defense Minister highlighted the necessity of strengthening the cooperation with allies and partners in coping with these asymmetric threats.

"The benefit of a well-designed system and broad cooperation will result in a resilient society to the new security challenges, secure institutions, societal awareness and preparedness for the protection and security of citizens and property," concluded Petrovska.

The forum also included addressed by Euro Atlantic Council president Ismet Ramadani and Ministry of Foreign Affairs State Secretary Filip Tosevski, followed by presentations of experts of the NGO and academic communities from the region and Europe, reads the press release.

Photo: Ministry of Defense