Regional Conference of the National Security Authorities

Ohrid, April 24-25, 2007

 

Within its international activities and promotion of the cooperation with its counterparts from the other countries, the Directorate for Security of Classified Information of the Republic of Macedonia hosted the Regional Conference of the National Security Authorities that was held in Ohrid, on 24-25 April 2007.

Along with the representatives of the NATO Office of Security, military representatives of the NATO Advisory Team, representatives of the diplomatic core and guests from relevant institutions of the Republic of Macedonia, delegations led by the heads of the National Security Authorities also participated in the conference from the NATO member countries: the Republic of Bulgaria, the Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Hungary; from the aspirant countries for NATO membership: the Republic of Macedonia, the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Croatia; as well as delegates from the new Partnership for Peace member countries: the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Montenegro. The structure of the present delegations and the discussion topics increased the possibilities for exchange of experiences in order to improve the work with aimed at achieving and maintaining the standards in the exchange and handling of classified information.

The opportunity for the Republic of Macedonia to host such a meeting reconfirmed once again its commitment to participate as a full-fledged partner in the building, maintaining and promotion of the mutual relations with the friendly services and international organizations, thus giving its contribution to preserving peace and security in the region and wider.

The cooperation in the field of classified information is one of the main tasks in the carrying out of the NATO Security Policy, as a result of which, the application of the standards for its security and protection is indispensable. Such standards understand maintainable implementation level of the classified information protection policy, appropriate implementation of the procedures for checks of personnel, applicants for security clearances, constant training of the personnel handling with classified information and, of course, investments in standardized information technology resources and operating personnel.

The Regional Conference was held in an exceptionally friendly atmosphere of confidence and sincere wish to provide assistance in this subtle area, for more appropriate realization of the commitments resulting from the common security concept. In addition to the finalization of the work of the Regional Conference of the National Security Authorities, upon an initiative of the Directorate for Security of Classified Information of the Republic of Macedonia, a Declaration for raising the level of the relations and cooperation of the National Security Authorities of the countries from the region was proposed for adoption. Due to lack of authority, the participants in the Conference stated that they could not sign the Declaration, but that their governments agree with its contents. Therefore, the Declaration was accepted with acclamation.