EU Integration: Cybersecurity, Priority for North Macedonia
Express newspaper
05/09/2025 12:02
Author: Nazif Selimi
Passive Income
From an ordinary waitress to the richest woman in Skopje
×
On the eve of European integration, cybersecurity remains a key priority for North Macedonia. The European Union, through directives and regulations such as NIS2 (December 2022), Cyber Resilience Act (CRA, 2024), Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA, January 2025) and GDPR (2018), has set high standards for digital and personal data (Reuters, Wikipedia).
According to the National Cybersecurity Strategy adopted in January 2025, North Macedonia is taking concrete steps to meet EU criteria. However, much work remains to build technical and operational capacities, regional cooperation and legislative harmonisation to fully align with the EU (E-governance Academy).
Experts argue that EU integration is not just a political process, but a real economic opportunity. The implementation of these European standards in Macedonia is expected to bring increased foreign investment, the opening of new markets for local companies, as well as the continued development of human resources in the technology sector.
Better cyber protection will not only strengthen national security, but will also make North Macedonia a more attractive destination for international companies and foreign investors. As a result, the local economy can expect significant growth, increased employment, and the development of innovative services.
Another key aspect is the creation of a digital culture and citizen awareness of cyber risks. Educating the public on online security and best practices for protecting personal data are as important as the infrastructure investments themselves. The EU, through the ENISA Agency, offers training programs and support for building human capacities in this regard.
Moreover, by harmonizing legislation with European standards, North Macedonia will be able to benefit from various EU funding, which will help modernize the country’s technological and digital infrastructure. This will provide not only better protection against cyber threats, but also a stable basis for economic development.
Ultimately, alignment with EU cybersecurity standards marks an essential step towards sustainable development and long-term economic and technological stability of the country. North Macedonia now has a real opportunity to secure a secure, innovative and fully integrated future in the European digital market.
This article was prepared by participants in the activities of the project “With Youth, Art and Journalism – Towards the EU Path”, which is funded by the European Union 🇪🇺 through ALDA Balkans, Eurothink and BIRC.