Macedonia contends with black propaganda-type hybrid destruction, security experts say

These, reports MIA, are part of the participants' stances at the <x0 effect-resistant conference from Euro-Atlantic integration: Work together against hybrid threats”, which was held today in Skopje.

Our “experience in Macedonia shows that at any moment the state has not been in crisis due to a kind of threats and risks always problem when different types of threats and weaknesses will coincide. This experience should be kept in mind when we face one of the major challenges in our history é referendum, in which citizens should make a decision to avoid the recent obstacle towards almighty NATO membership and accelerated EU integration”; said Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Radmila Sekerinska.
She pointed out that Macedonia faces hybrid threats from the black propaganda type, denigration of a part of state and international institutions and distorting Macedonia's legitimate interests.

I am convinced that we will face this kind of threat because citizens know what state Macedonia wants and where it belongs. Our job is to secure this road, to lead them to be true leaders, not followers”, Sekerinska said.

According to her, this is a historic chance, which if we lose it will certainly not be repeated in the last 10-20 years.

“To be a state in the Balkans and not to take all necessary steps to reinforce the stability and security of citizens, to reinforce territorial integrity and sovereignty is irresponsible and pure adventure”, potential Sekerinska.

Hybrid threats, state secretary in MPJ Viktor Dimovski said, come from countries which because of personal interests exploit different ways to achieve.

“We in the region are not resistant to such threats, but rather, even though surrounded by EU and NATO member states, because of geographical consultations perhaps even more vulnerable than other regions. Therefore the main argument against so-called grey areas of uncertainty is the region's full integration into NATO and the EU”, Dimovski said,

He added that the key to war is the continuing gathering and division and the assessment of strategic partners' information with the goal of discovering on time and the return of subsequent and new hybrid events.

Michael Gaud, co-chairman of the task force for new security challenges, said international support for Macedonia is more than clear and that all major forces want to support the country in its historic and strategic act of Euro-Atlantic integration.

Regarding new security challenges, Gaul stressed that against new threats such as cybercrime and radicalisation we cannot fight arms and shells, and from there facing hybrid threats has been difficult.

He thinks the best way to protect themselves from hybrid threats is to raise awareness levels, co-operate with partners and other international organisations.

Jean-Mark Rickley, head of the International Danger Department at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, said Macedonia is a small state and cannot afford to deal with such types of threats that pose risks even to major powers.

You can't build walls around you to protect yourselves. It's already past. In the cyber dimension you cannot build walls, because the main actors in these threats also exploit human and nonhuman resources”, Rickley said.

He, as an example, opened up the Islamic State that armes refugees and infiltrates them in other countries, which, as he said, the scope of these threats is huge.

Croatian Ambassador to the country Daniela Barisic, who is also in contact with the NATO Embassy, considers Macedonia's invitation to join the Alliance is evidence of the Alliance's open policy.

“You have a historic chance in the upcoming referendum to achieve the goal you designed 27 years ago, while it is EU and NATO membership”, she said.

Speaking of new hybrid threats, he said that new technology, in addition to bringing benefits, has also posed major dangers. It argued that the strategic tool of hybrid threats is false news that spread at great speeds in contrast with other news because those who spread it most frequently do not respect the law.