Regional Cyber Capacity Center for the Western Balkans opened

The first Regional Cyber Capacity Center (WB3C) in the Balkans was opened today at the Science and Technology Park. Montenegro will become a key point for improving knowledge in the field of cyber security, for exchanging experiences and improving cooperation.

The Letter of Intent for the establishment of the Regional Cyber Security and Cyber Capacity Development Center (WB3C) was signed in November 2022 by representatives of the founding countries: Montenegro, France, and Slovenia.

It took more than two years of intensive work, with the support of the Government of Montenegro and international partners and friends, the academic community and all relevant institutions, to achieve the necessary formal, program and technical prerequisites for the opening of WB3C.

The Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Center, which is recognized within the Berlin Process, as I personally witnessed, has a key role. With extensive expertise from France and Slovenia through the provision of cyber security training, with the aim of including all Western Balkan countries, I believe that we can significantly improve cyber capacities in the Region. Montenegro has already intensified its activities, and the work of WB3C will perfectly complement our efforts at the national level, said the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milojko Spajić, in his address.

As emphasized by the Minister of Public Administration, Mr. Marash Dukaj, this event is the result of a strategic approach and careful analysis by the Government of Montenegro and the Ministry of Public Administration, to build the cyber ecosystem of Montenegro, but also of other countries, because cyber security cannot be limited.

Through our efforts in cyber diplomacy within the UN, CoE, and OSCE, we contribute to the establishment of rules of responsible behavior in cyberspace, while taking care to protect human rights and freedoms. As the most serious candidate for EU membership, through the EU's common foreign and security policy, within Chapter 31, and as a responsible NATO member, we are working to strengthen cyber capacities and successfully respond to overall hybrid threats, said the Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ervin Ibrahimović.

The first training, held at the beginning of May 2023 on the topic of cyber hygiene, is considered the initial activity of EB3C. Since then, a large number of trainings have been held in three key areas: cyber security, cybercrime, and cyber diplomacy, and they were attended by participants from all Western Balkan countries.

Today, we are jointly positioning Montenegro as a regional center for cyber security education, giving our country what it needs most - an opportunity to reduce the lack of knowledge. Investing in knowledge and education is always the most important and most profitable investment, said the Minister of Public Administration, Mr. Marash Dukaj, in his address, and continued: "The Law on Information Security aligned with the NIS2 directive", the Security Center for Government Information Security, and today's opening of the Regional Center, can be singled out as key achievements, on whose foundations we will build further progress.

Dukaj said that the Ministry of Public Administration, as the state administration body in charge of information infrastructure, will continue to work at full capacity and with maximum dedication to the development of all program activities. He said that a secure digital world will be built through partnership, cooperation, and education.

"In an era when cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and pervasive, it is imperative that we equip this region with the necessary tools to effectively combat these challenges. This is just the beginning. This center will play a key role in preserving our digital environment, protecting our citizens, and fostering a culture of cyber security that will benefit generations to come," said Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, in her address.

"We appeal to all Western Balkan countries to draw the best possible benefits from this initiative," said, among other things, René Troccaz, Special Envoy of France for the Western Balkans.

In accordance with the Reform Agenda, in the part related to cyber security, and areas such as improving human resources, infrastructure, procedures, and protocols, Montenegro continues to position itself among countries secure from cyber threats.

After the official opening of the Center, the delegations were hosted by: Jakov Milatović, President of Montenegro, Milojko Spajić, Prime Minister of Montenegro, and Maida Gorčević, Minister of European Affairs.