Enhancing protection of public spaces and critical infrastructures in the Western Balkans

In order to effectively protect citizens, it is necessary to reduce vulnerabilities of public spaces (PS) and to increase the resilience of critical infrastructure (CI). It is for that purpose that the European Union committed to step up its joint work with the Western Balkans in this field

This Wednesday 26 April 2023 the new EU project “Enhancing protection of public spaces and critical infrastructures in the Western Balkans” was launched in Zagreb. Hosted by Croatia, the launching event brings together representatives from relevant authorities from the Western Balkans, the EU, France, Croatia, Italy and Greece. A consortium of these four EU Member States led by France has been entrusted by the European Commission to implement the project (French Ministry of Interior/ Directorate of International Security Cooperation and its operator CIVIPOL, Croatian Ministry of Interior, Italian Ministry of Interior, Center for Security Studies (ΚΕΜΕΑ) of the Hellenic Ministry of Citizen Protection).

For the next three years, this new project will allow the Western Balkans and participating EU Member States to work together to better anticipate, prevent, protect and respond to terrorist threats on public spaces and to critical infrastructures. Together, they will aim to strengthen the strategic and operational cooperation within the Western Balkans and between the region and the EU. The project will enhance joint work on better understanding of threats, comprehensive legislation and regulation, effective strategies and institutions, improve operational capacities as well as cooperation of stakeholders, including the private sector and civil society organisations. 

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