During the discussions, representatives from the National Cyber ​​Security Authority (AKSK), the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEPJ), and the Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA) emphasized the importance of a comprehensive, coordinated response.

Bledar Kazia, Director General of the National Cyber ​​Security Authority, stated that “The true target of the attacks is public trust.”

Kazia added that technology and the use of artificial intelligence have made information manipulation more sophisticated and scalable. According to him, cyber incidents are often accompanied by targeted disinformation campaigns aimed at the public; the primary target is not merely technical infrastructure, but rather citizens’ trust in democratic institutions and the country’s European path. Kazia highlighted that Albania, as a NATO member and an EU candidate country, is strengthening its defense capabilities, including the establishment of dedicated teams for open-source intelligence investigation.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Megi Fino emphasized that the rapid verification of news, strategic and credible communication with citizens regarding the EU integration process and the deepening of international cooperation with NATO, the EU, and the Hybrid Centre remain key pillars in this process.

“EU integration brings increased attention and potentially makes the region more of a target for foreign manipulation, which requires daily institutional coordination,” said Fino.

On her part, AMA Chairwoman Armela Krasniqi addressed the regulatory challenges facing the media landscape in the digital age.

Krasniqi highlighted the initiatives undertaken by the authority to establish direct channels of cooperation with major global platforms like TikTok and X (Twitter) to address citizen complaints and harmful content.

Meanwhile, Martha Turnbull, Director of the Hybrid Influence Community of Interest at Hybrid CoE, remarked that, “The historical examples we have seen of Iranian cyber activity targeting Albania serve as a truly concrete example.”

“The information environment in which we are currently operating across Europe remains a constant target for hybrid threat actors, particularly regarding disinformation. I would not say that Albania is exempt from this, as I believe all European countries are affected by these threats,” she emphasized. /p.s./

Speaking to reporters upon his arrival at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro, Rama responded to journalists’ interest regarding the protests taking place against the investment in Zvërnec.

Rama emphasized that there are no requests to discuss because there is no approved project yet.

“We cannot debate a non-existent project. The social media uproar is simply a hybrid war against Albania, fueled entirely by manufactured, false narratives. It looks as if this is not a project, but something cooked up between me and Netanyahu through Jared Kushner, to relocate the Palestinians to Zvërnec,” Rama said.

According to the prime minister, the Western media should be much more careful because facts matter and should always matter.

He stressed that there is no project and there is no reason to worry as far as the project is concerned.

“The best architects and engineers in the world are working on this, and our promise is simple: to protect and enhance nature while building something extraordinary. It will be a point of pride for all Albanians, and our gift to Europe”, said Rama.

Asked what the government is doing to secure environmentalists for the project, Rama stressed that, “First of all, this is not just about environmentalists, but it is primarily about a hybrid war.”

“As we know, the Iranian regime is a sworn adversary of our nation. With a long, documented history of devastating cyber attacks against us, they are now weaponizing disinformation. They are heavily involved in promoting a fabricated narrative that my development project with Jared Kushner is actually a secret deal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Albania,” Rama said.

According to him, this is one of the narratives and it has attracted a lot of attention.

“You have seen many fake videos showing hundreds of thousands of people shouting ‘Israel go home’. It is all fake because there is nothing like that in the real Albania and shame on those who do all these things. On the other hand, there are genuinely concerned people with good intentions and I have told you and I tell you that you have nothing to worry about because the project is not ready. We do not have the project,” he added.

On the other hand, Rama said that, “We were the first to set the standards for the project that we will have to wait for”.

“It is normal that the number of Albanian accounts hasn’t grown since the attacks started. This is a hybrid attack, so the tactics are more strategic than just trying to increase numbers”, Rama added. /j.p/p.s./