Toshkovski: Macedonia is strengthening its ability to respond to new terrorist threats

Interior Minister Pançe Toshkovski said Macedonia is taking steps to strengthen its capacity to address modern terrorist threats. He spoke on 02.11.2026 at the opening session of an assessment visit by the United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), taking place in Skopje from November 2 to 6. The UN delegation is led by CTED Deputy Director Carmen Cantor.

The mission aims to examine the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, assess the country’s capabilities and challenges in combating terrorism and violent extremism, and identify ways to improve the institutional response and cooperation with international partners.

In his remarks, Toshkovski described the visit as an important opportunity to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the country’s progress, noting that the last similar assessment took place in 2011.

According to the minister, Macedonia has carried out significant institutional, legal and structural reforms over the past fifteen years. Those changes, he said, have strengthened its security capabilities and consolidated its role as a responsible partner in safeguarding regional and international stability.

“We are committed to continuing to develop a system that identifies threats in time, prevents them effectively and guarantees the safety of citizens,” Toshkovski stressed.

He noted that mechanisms for coordination between institutions, the sharing of operational information, and cooperation among the police, intelligence services and agencies responsible for border management have improved in recent years.

At the same time, institutions have focused on preventing violent extremism, detecting radicalization at an early stage, and deradicalization and reintegration. Local communities, educational institutions and civil society have been involved in these efforts.

Outlining the next steps, the minister announced that the revised National Counter-Terrorism Strategy is expected to be adopted. The document will pay particular attention to digital radicalization and new forms of security threats.

“Terrorist threats are increasingly moving into the digital space. That is why we have already begun the process of establishing a specialized National Unit to monitor and combat terrorist content online,” Toshkovski said.

The minister added that, alongside this initiative, interagency simulation exercises are planned to protect critical infrastructure and respond to hybrid threats, with the private sector also taking part.