On 19th of April 2023 EU-HYBNET Future Trends Workshop, #FTW2023, took place in Bucharest, Romania. The topic of this workshop’s was – “Hybrid Threats in the EU Neighbourhood – Implications for the future of EU security”.
Recent events in the EU neighbourhood have brought into attention a complex dynamic of adversarial tools and strategies involving weaponization of information, technology, cyberspace, critical infrastructure, energy, in an intricate pattern aimed to weaken cohesion and generate polarisation across the EU and its neighbourhood.
The purpose of the workshop is to support stakeholders’ everyday work by providing a future outlook for strategic planning and consider the consequences of today’s policy choices in long-term.
During the workshop experts discussed current and future hybrid treats as well as solutions for practitioners. Discussion panels focused mainly on disinformation, cyber treats, and societal resilience as a defence to hybrid warfare.
Experts also debated about several manifestations of hybrid treats. Undoubtedly the weaponization of information, technologies, critical infrastructures, and CBRN materials has intensified, and paying more attention is crucial. It was highlighted that concrete actions, training & exercise should be taken, to build a resilient society. All agreed that the key to fighting the hybrid treats is the involvement of the public.
Participants also discussed the importance of the Arctic and the necessity to focus more on this strategic region for EU and NATO as it is already being targeted by hybrid treats.
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