On 3 April 2025, the European Union-Council of Europe joint project CyberSEE supported thecriminal justice authorities of North Macedonia in the organisation of a high-level domestic workshop in Skopje in view of implementation and further ratification of the Second Additional Protocol (2AP) to the Convention on Cybercrime (Budapest Convention).
The event brought together high-level officials and practitioners from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, Prosecutor’s Office, judiciary, the Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors, the Agency for Electronic Communications, the Financial Intelligence Unit, and major telecommunications companies in North Macedonia. Representatives from the Council of Europe’s Cybercrime Programme Office (C-PROC), the Council of Europe Office in Skopje, and the European Union Delegation to North Macedonia actively took part in the event.
The meeting focused on the key provisions of the 2AP, including enhanced cooperation mechanisms, access to electronic evidence, and data protection safeguards. Participants discussed the legal steps required for ratification, the benefits of the Protocol for criminal justice authorities, and challenges related to its implementation. The discussions also helped outline a roadmap for implementation and ratification process, including the possible establishment of a national working group and the need for further support through legislative assessments and capacity-building activities.
The participants gained a better understanding of the benefits of the 2AP and how it can strengthen North Macedonia’s criminal justice response to cybercrime. The workshop also clarified the legal steps towards ratification and highlighted key challenges and opportunities.
The Council of Europe, through the CyberSEE project, reiterated its commitment to continue supporting North Macedonian authorities in this process, including the preparation of the ratification law, the alignment of national legislation with the Protocol’s provisions, and the delivery of specifically tailored capacity-building activities.
