Bilateral Cooperation

Washington D.C., 3-7 June 2013

Upon the invitation of the Director of the International Security Programs at the Office of the US Undersecretary of Defense, Mr. Peter R. Batten, the Delegation of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia for negotiating agreements for exchange and mutual protection of classified information on bilateral basis with other countries paid a return visit to Washington D.C. in the period from 3 to 7 June 2013. During the visit, the members of the Macedonian governmental delegation were introduced to the handling of classified information and the procedures for its protection since the passing of the security policy on protection of classified information till the immediate implementation of the procedures by the end users.

The Macedonian delegation had successful discussions on the establishing of security criteria and measures for protection of classified information from the aspect of the document security, physical security, industrial security, information security and personnel security, as well as on the possibilities for further enhancing of the bilateral cooperation between the two states in the field of classified information. At the end of the visit, the Delegation of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia presented its conclusions about the held meetings in front of the host and gave its view on the conditions for protection of classified information that the Republic of Macedonia should release to the USA after concluding the bilateral security agreement.

Skopje, 5-9 November 2012

Within the activities for entering into an agreement with the USA on the exchange and protection of classified information, the US National Disclosure Policy Committee (NDPC) security team visit to the Republic of Macedonia was accomplished in the period from 5 to 9 November 2012. The visit was part of the bilateral negotiation process between the Republic of Macedonia and the USA for entering into a General Security Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA). The aim of the visit was to make an analysis of the existing legislation in the Republic of Macedonia concerning the protection of classified information, as well as of the distinct conditions for safeguarding and handling of classified information within the state organs and the special production companies in order to determine the compatibility of the legislations and the practices for handling of classified information in the two countries.

Madrid, 2-4 October 2012

Upon the invitation of the National Security Authority of the Kingdom of Spain, the delegation of the Republic of Macedonia for negotiating bilateral agreements on exchange of classified information with other states, led by the Director of the Directorate for Security of Classified Information, will visit Madrid in the period from 2 to 4 October 2012. The working meeting between the two delegations will represent the first phase of the bilateral negotiations for harmonization of the text of the agreement for exchange and mutual protection of classified information between the governments of the Republic of Macedonia and the Kingdom of Spain.

Skopje, 27 July 2012

The Agreement between the Macedonian Government and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany on Mutual Protection of Classified Information was signed on 27 July 2012 in Skopje.

On behalf of the Republic of Macedonia, the agreement was signed by Mr. Nikola Poposki, M.Sc., Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia. On behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany, the agreement was signed by H.E. Mrs. Gudrun Elisabeth Steinacker, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany in the Republic of Macedonia.

Skopje, 16-19 May 2012

In the period from 16 to 19 May 2012 a delegation of the National Security Authority of the Italian Republic visited the Republic of Macedonia. The purpose of the visit was the second phase of the bilateral negotiations for harmonizing the text of the agreement on exchange and mutual protection of classified information between the governments of the both countries.

Маy 2012

Within the Second Conference of the South East European National Security Authorities (SEENSA), held on 7-9 May 2012 in the Republic of Slovenia, the delegation of the Directorate for Security of Classified Information of the Republic of Macedonia had a bilateral meeting with the Director of the National Security Authority of the Kingdom of Spain. The meeting was used to discuss the launched initiative for entering into an agreement at government level and it was agreed the bilateral negotiations for harmonizing the text of the agreement on exchange and mutual protection of classified information to start in the beginning of October 2012.

Brdo, Mаy 2012

At the margins of the South East European National Security Authorities (SEENSA), held on 7-9 May 2012 in the Republic of Slovenia, the delegation of the Directorate for Security of Classified Information of the Republic of Macedonia had a bilateral meeting with the Government Office for the Protection of Classified Information of the Republic of Slovenia. The purpose of the meeting was to activate a higher level of cooperation between the two national security authorities through a mutual project for establishing an electronic connection. The initial effects of the initiated project are expected in September 2012.

Brdo, May 2012

Within the Second Conference of the South East European National Security Authorities (SEENSA), held on 7-9 May 2012 in the Republic of Slovenia, the delegation of the Directorate for Security of Classified Information of the Republic of Macedonia had a number of bilateral meetings and exchanged experiences related to the handling and protection of classified information. Furthermore, initiatives were launched for more intensive cooperation with the national security authorities of the Kingdom Great Britain, the Republic of Moldova and Romania. More concrete related activities will follow in the forthcoming period.

Concerning the needs of the Directorate for Security of Classified Information related to training and other aspects of the work with classified information, during the bilateral meetings support and concrete assistance in the field of training was offered by the national security authorities of the Republic of Bulgaria and Hungary through application of the EU instruments TAIEX and Twinning projects, through IPA funds and etc.

Skopje, 5-6 March, 2012

Upon invitation of the head of the delegation of the Republic of Macedonia for negotiating agreements on exchange of classified information on bilateral basis with other states, the Director of the Directorate for Security of Classified Information, a delegation of the Office of the Council for National Security and Classified Information Protection of the Republic of Serbia, led by Mr. Goran Matic, Director, visited Skopje on 5-6 March 2012. The aim of the visit was harmonization of the text of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Macedonia and the Government of the Republic of Serbia on Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information. The negotiations, which resulted in agreed text of the agreement, were held in very constructive and friendly atmosphere.

Skopje, February 2012

Upon request of the Italian delegation, the second round of the bilateral negotiations between the delegations of the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Italy for entering into an agreement on exchange and mutual protection of classified information, scheduled to be held in the period from 20 to 22 February 2012 in Skopje, will be held in April 2012. The date will be determined additionally.