Minister Hoxha Calls for International Cooperation to Counter Information Manipulation and Foreign Interference

At the conference “Addressing Information Manipulation and Foreign Interference: Albania and the Enlargement Context,” Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said that one of the major issues facing contemporary democracies is information manipulation and foreign interference, emphasizing that resolving these issues calls for close international cooperation and bolstering the resilience of democratic societies.
According to Minister Hoxha, safeguarding democracy now encompasses not just physical territory and institutions but also the digital sphere, where misinformation and information manipulation aim to erode public confidence, democratic institutions, and independent media.
The minister emphasized that Albania is more vulnerable to these dangers in the last stages of EU membership talks. In his opinion, Albania should actively participate in cooperative efforts to safeguard the information space in addition to reaping the benefits of partners’ cooperation.
Minister Hoxha emphasized that governments cannot develop resistance against information manipulation on their own; instead, state institutions, parliaments, independent media, civil society, academia, technological specialists, and citizens must all be involved.
The minister emphasized that securing the information space is crucial for preserving freedom, democracy, and citizens’ ability to make informed decisions. He also emphasized the significance of allies working together to share experiences and develop a coordinated response to hybrid threats.