Rutte expressed regret for not being able to attend the conference in person, highlighting that today the keyboard is a weapon of war targeting our societies every day.

“State and non-state actors are working against us in cyberspace, attempting to breach our defenses, disable our infrastructure, spy on our societies, and interfere with government services,” Rutte stated.

“In response to this, NATO continues to strengthen its presence in the digital world. Ten years ago, cyberspace became an operational domain. We have trained and conducted operations in cyberspace as part of building our capabilities, and our adversaries know that any breach in cyberspace can trigger Article 5,” he said.

“In Belgium, we are establishing an integrated cyber center within NATO that will provide all NATO commands with information on cyber threats and risks, including those targeting critical civilian and military infrastructure. In fact, civilian personnel from across NATO, allied governments, and industry experts have come together there,” Rutte added.

“NATO allies are also increasing their investments in cyberspace. This summer in The Hague, we agreed to increase spending on defense to 5% , focusing on core capabilities as well as other investments. This means our defense will become stronger and our societies more resilient to cyber threats,” Rutte continued.

He also added, “While countries are responsible for their own defense, NATO provides a unique network through which allies can respond to cyber threats. This forum in Tirana is an excellent platform to share expertise, best practices, and knowledge.”

“NATO is an alliance built on shared values, and we will continue to promote a swift, norms-based response in cyberspace. In NATO, no one stands alone—we all stand together in this digital age against anyone seeking to harm us,” Rutte said.

Albania is the host country for delegations from 32 member states of the Alliance, represented by their foreign ministries, defense ministries, and cyber ambassadors.

This high-level event serves as a unique platform for know-how exchange, strengthening cooperation, and developing joint strategies aimed at collective defense against the ever-evolving threats in cyberspace.

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