Spasovski: Common comprehensive response to common issues and challenges
Skopje, 3 November 2022 (MIA) – Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski took part via video address on Thursday in the 8th Istanbul Security Conference organized by the Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Studies under the theme “Post-Security Dilemmas, Integrations, Models and Asia.”
Spasovski thanked for the opportunity to share lessons learned and experiences gained at a time of major security and social challenges facing humanity in the past few years.
“Today we are faced with perhaps the most serious security challenge since the end of World War II. Russia's open aggression against Ukraine and the change of borders in the four regions of Ukraine is a dangerous precedent, which can tighten relations between the states to unpredictable limits and add fuel to already strong military actions, in which, in the end, innocent civilians suffer the most. The entire democratic world has an obligation to call for cessation of hostilities, finding a solution as soon as possible and ending the bloodshed. As never before we are faced with the challenge of lack of energy and security in the uninterrupted supply of food and other resources necessary for normal life, as a direct result of the war in Ukraine,” Spasovski said among other.
He also mentioned North Macedonia's NATO membership and the start of European Union accession negotiations.
“Right now, at a time of major instability in Eastern Europe, we can fully see the benefits of NATO membership and what it really means to be part of the most powerful military and political alliance in the world. Our borders are secure, and together with our partners and friends we seek the best possible solutions to every security challenge, even the energy crisis and resource shortages,” Spasovski pointed out.
Another very significant challenge, which also had major security implications was the COVID-19 pandemic, Spasovski added. According to him, although the disease has been significantly suppressed, the risks we have faced and are still facing only point to the fact that much more effort is needed to completely eradicate it and prevent the emergence of other, new pandemics.
At the same time, he pointed out, we were forced to fight the pandemic of fake news, popularly called an infodemic. The best defense against fake news, he stressed, is the timely publication of accurate information.
Minister Spasovski also pointed to several significant security challenges faced both by the country, and the region as a whole.
He underlined that migrations, particularly illegal migrations, are still a current topic, which the police services in the region and in Europe face on a daily basis.
He highlighted the fact that by signing the operational agreement with Frontex, North Macedonia is expected to further regulate and specify the policies and practices for border protection and to contribute to the strengthening of the capacities to control migration, especially illegal migration.
He noted that the country has achieved a significant step towards strengthened border management and irregular migration, which is of common interest to North Macedonia, the countries in the region, the European Union and international organizations such as UNHCR, OSCE, IOM and other.
North Macedonia and the Ministry of Interior, Spasovski pointed out, have always had a proactive and open approach, have always been and will remain an active and credible partner of the United Nations and UNHCR, and the state continues to give strong support in relation to the Global Compact on Refugees and the Global Compact for Migration, as accepted international instruments.
“Among the main priorities of the Ministry of Interior in the area of migration is deepening and maintaining international cooperation with the countries in the region, the countries of transit and the countries of origin, with EU agencies and other relevant international organizations, as well as through active participation in numerous international and regional platforms, initiatives and processes,” the Interior Minister said.
He noted that several projects are underway with the aim of further alignment with European standards, not only in the area of migration management, but also in border management as a whole.
In cooperation with partners from the international community, Spasovski said, we are actively working to promote the fight against all illegal actions that undermine democratic society. The fourth consecutive national strategies for the prevention of violent extremism and the fight against terrorism are being prepared. Previously, the National Strategy for the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism and the National Strategy for Cyber Security were adopted for the first time, which, together with the action plans, are already producing the expected results.
In addition, Minister Spasovski mentioned possible solutions that will contribute to control and prevention of international organized crime and dealing with security threats in Europe and the world.
“In the essence of the development of quality policies and response to modern security dilemmas, is the strengthening of cooperation between competent ministries and services and deepening integrations, in which strong messages for peace, stability and security will be intertwined. Let’s continue investing in our societies, continue supporting the development of human resources and improving material and technical working conditions, as well as further defining the legal bases and procedural aspects of prosecuting crime and criminal groups and individuals,” said Spasovski among other.
He added that no society is immune to crime, nor does a certain form of crime originate and end only within the borders of a single country or region.
“Therefore, I strongly support efforts and ideas for a global, joint response in which we all contribute to safer societies and more secure states,” Minister Spasovski stressed.
