Ohrid, 27 March 2026 (MIA) - Risks and threats that states and societies face in the context of cybersecurity is in the focus of the 5th Inter-Parliamentary Forum of South East Europe Delegations to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, held in Ohrid on Friday.

Forum participants said that although North Macedonia is not directly affected by international cyber attacks, the country must nevertheless build its own mechanisms for protection from existing risks that are already manifested in neighboring countries.

"Serious countries think ahead and we must be ready to prevent such possible cases. This is an added value to everything we do in defending and protecting from cyber attacks," said Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi in his remarks.

Speaker Gashi said the fundamental idea of such fora is how to jointly create collective security from cyber attacks and how to ensure quality defense in the field through international organizations such as OSCE and enhanced regional cooperation as well.

The Speaker added that the country does well when it comes to specific malicious operations or real threats to cybersecurity, with no information pointing to some state institutions being a target for attacks, adding "this can change, and therefore the need for enhanced activities for prevention, protection and defense from online attacks".

"This topic is challenging, also considering the latest developments in the Middle East. We can defend from threats only if we work together and perceive the risks. The Parlament has adopted a strategy for full digitalization by 2028. We are focused, using the capacities at disposal but also through international organizations. We are convinced these events can help improve the tools, processes, mechanisms to defend from all types of attacks, including cyber ones," said Gashi.

Professor Metodi Hadzhi Janev, expert in digitalization and cybersecurity, said threats from cyber attacks are continued, because the ones who pose the threats come from various fields and have various motives, some are common criminals, others are proxy actors working for another country or ones hired to do a job.

"As digitalization penetrates into all walks of life, there is a convergence of two worlds - physical and virtual - that are not fully aligned, leaving gaps that different malicious actors want to fill for their own interest," said Hadzhi Janev.

MP Monika Zajkova, Head of the North Macedonia Delegation to the OSCE PA, said the Ohrid forum is taking place at a crucial time, considering the rising cyber threats in the region.

"The risk is always present. No one should think they are completely safe, especially since these attacks are not classical ones. The event will produce a declaration signed by SEE countries on joint action against such attacks. I will urge all delegations to ratify the UN convention related to this issue in their respective parliaments", said Zajkova.

The conference discussions aim to highlight the need for resilience to contemporary challenges for SEE states and identify ways for stronger collective security.

Photo: MIA