On 12 March, the EUISS, in cooperation with the EU Cyber Direct project, convened experts, policymakers and practitioners in Brussels for a workshop on how the EU can strengthen its cyber resilience by working more closely with enlargement partners.
Countries such as the Western Balkans, Moldova and Ukraine are on the front line of cyber and hybrid threats, facing sustained pressure on government services, critical infrastructure and the information space. Their operational experience and evolving cyber capabilities represent an important asset for Europe’s collective security.
Participants explored how the EU could better integrate enlargement countries into European cyber resilience frameworks ahead of accession, enabling them both to contribute to and benefit from strengthened collective security.
The discussion also examined how existing EU instruments and initiatives could support deeper cooperation and capacity-building, including through partnerships with regional structures such as the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C).