NEWS
01.09.2023, SkopjeCelebration of 1st of September, Day of the Agency for National Security
On the occasion of celebrating the fourth anniversary of the establishment of the Agency for National Security, on 1st of September 2023 a ceremony was held for the employees of the Agency. On the ceremony, the Director Zarko Miloshevski addressed the guests, congratulated them on the Day of the Agency and emphasized their commitment and the contribution they give every day for maintaining the national, and therefore the regional and global security. The Director Miloshevski awarded certificates of acknowledgment to the employees and organizational units of the Agency that had the biggest success in their work in the previous year.
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Signed Memodandum of cooperation between the Agency for National Security and the Ministry of Justice
On August 3, 2023, in the premises of the Ministry of Justice in Skopje, the Director of the Agency for National Security, Mr. Zarko Miloshevski and the Minister of Justice, Mr. Krenar Lloga, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. With this Memorandum, the Agency for National Security and the Ministry of Justice confirmed their joint commitment to mutual cooperation for the purpose of efficient implementation of the competences established by law in the process of protecting the national security of the state. In that direction, both sides expressed their readiness to promote cooperation in several areas of common interests, including the exchange of data and information under the jurisdiction of both institutions, the exchange of experiences in the application of the principle of rule of law and protection of human rights in accordance with international documents of UN, the Council of Europe and the European Union, as well as cooperation in drafting important strategic documents in the field of security.
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Announcement of realized joint action
On May 12, 2023, the Agency for National Security, in corporation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia, carried out a joint operation in which three Macedonian citizens were arrested, who during 2014 joined the armed formations of the terrorist organization Islamic State on the territory of Syria, and as fighters participated in the military actions, a crime covered in Article 322 of the Penal Code of the Republic of North Macedonia. The individuals included in the action were the subject of a joint activities of several partner security-intelligence Services within the framework of the global fight against terrorism, whereby two individuals were arrested on the territory of the Republic of North Macedonia, and one individual was arrested on the territory of France, after a published international Interpol warrant with simultaneous synchronized activity.
Directors meeting held in Skopje
On 30 January 2023 in Skopje, a meeting was held between the President of the State Agency for National Security of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Plamen Tonchev, and the Director of the Agency for National Security of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr. Zarko Miloshevski. Both colleagues confirmed the necessity of a close and dynamic cooperation between the two Agencies and agreed that the enhancement of the bilateral cooperation through timely exchange of information will contribute to preserving the national and the regional stability. During the meeting, the main accent was put on the security situation in the eve of commemorating the 151st Anniversary of the birth of Goce Delchev. In that direction, it was emphasized that countering the current threats, risks and challenges that the two countries are facing with will remain at the top of the agenda of both Agencies. Mutual was the conclusion that both Agencies, within their respective authorities, shall undertake all the necessary measures and activities for the safe conduct of the event on 4 February 2023 in Skopje.
Directors meeting held in Skopje
On 30 January 2023 in Skopje, a meeting was held between the President of the State Agency for National Security of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Plamen Tonchev, and the Director of the Agency for National Security of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr. Zarko Miloshevski. Both colleagues confirmed the necessity of a close and dynamic cooperation between the two Agencies and agreed that the enhancement of the bilateral cooperation through timely exchange of information will contribute to preserving the national and the regional stability. During the meeting, the main accent was put on the security situation in the eve of commemorating the 151st Anniversary of the birth of Goce Delchev. In that direction, it was emphasized that countering the current threats, risks and challenges that the two countries are facing with will remain at the top of the agenda of both Agencies. Mutual was the conclusion that both Agencies, within their respective authorities, shall undertake all the necessary measures and activities for the safe conduct of the event on 4 February 2023 in Skopje.
Press release
Regarding the interest expressed in some of the media regarding the security clearances of the persons related to the case of the arrest and the extradition detention of Mile Milenkovski in Republic of Serbia upon a red warrant by the Interpol, the Agency for National Security provides the following information. The procedure for obtaining security clearances is carried out within the frames of the strictly defined procedure and it begins by submitting a request for issuing a security clearance to the Directorate for Security of Classified Information in accordance with Article 45 of the Law on Classified Information (Article 53 of the Law on Classified Information), the Agency for National Security (Article 4 and Article 8 of the Law on ANB) conducts security checks for persons in order to determine security obstacles for the issuing of a security clearance for the use of classified information. From the inspection of the procedures for conducted security checks, it was ascertained that from the day of the establishment of the Agency for National Security on September 1st, 2019, until 27th August 2021, the day of the arrest of Mile Milenkoski, the Directorate for Security of Classified Information has not submitted a request for security checks neither for Milenkoski nor for the other two persons mentioned in the media. At the same time, it was ascertained that out of the three mentioned persons, up until the day of detention in Serbia, only Mile Milenkoski had a valid security clearance which was issued on grounds of a second degree check conducted by the former Security and Counterintelligence Service on 9th February 2019. For the other two persons, it was established that they do not have valid security clearances. In addition, the information in some of the media that any of the other concerned institutions in the country submitted information about the case to the Agency for National Security up to the day of detention of Mile Milenkoski in the Republic of Serbia is not true either. The Agency for National Security starting from its legal competencies and in accordance with the request for review of the security clearance issued to the person Mile Milenkoski submitted at the beginning of this month, undertook appropriate activities to review whether the conditions set by the former Security and Counterintelligence Service were met and to revoke the security clearance of the abovementioned person. In the following period the Agency will continue, same as so far, to inform all the competent entities stipulated by law about the security threats and risks against the national security of the country. All the other issues related to the status, the treatment and the further processing of the persons involved in the abovementioned case are within the competence of institutions in the Republic of North Macedonia stipulated by law.
Address by Viktor Dimovski, Director of the Agency for National Security, at the ceremony on the occasion of the day of the Agency for National Security
Distinguished President, Mr. Stevo Pendarovski, distinguished members of the Government, distinguished representatives and ambassadors in our country, distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentleman, First of all, allow me, on my personal behalf and on behalf of all the staff of the Agency of National Security, to wish you a warm welcome to the celebration of September 1st, the Day of the Agency for National Security. Today, I am pleased to point out that the Agency, in accordance with the purpose it was established for, has been successfully protecting the national security, independence, sovereignty, constitutional order and the fundamental human rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution for two years already. Aware of our role in the security and intelligence community, we continue to work devotedly on the reform processes, in accordance with the highest NATO standards, with the aim of our further improvement and enabling a rapid and efficient response to the risks and threats to the security of the state and the citizens. All this, in conditions of the COVID 19 pandemic, was and still remains a real challenge, not only because of the need to protect the health of the employees, but also to timely prevent and counter all security threats and risks that in the “new reality“ took new forms and dimensions. In such difficult conditions, the Agency continued strengthening its capacities, building itself as a modern, professional, independent and accountable institution that acts in accordance with the legislation, high ethical and professional standards. In that sense, during the past year we worked on finishing the harmonization and the adoption of the necessary bylaws and internal acts, recruitment and professional development of the existing and the new staff, concluding memoranda of cooperation with state authorities and domestic universities and we participated in the work of government bodies and working groups responsible for issues related to national security. Today’s holiday is an opportunity to express our gratitude to the Government, which despite the difficulties it faces with in a period when the consequences of the pandemic need to be overcome, found an opportunity and with the budget rebalance provided funds that will enable final transfer to our new premises, as part of the reform process. In terms of personnel renewal, it is my pleasure and honor to say that the first group of ten best students from our universities has already started working in ANB. At the same time, it is a great pleasure that on this day we are promoting the new official IDs for the members of the Agency. Over the past year, the Agency continued strengthening and deepening the cooperation with foreign partner security and intelligence Services, primarily from NATO and EU member states, as a respectable partner and important actor for regional and global security. In such difficult conditions, the Agency continued to strengthen its capacities, establishing itself as a modern, professional, independent and accountable institution. We believe that in the past period we have managed to grow as a credible partner in the framework of the international bilateral and multilateral cooperation, especially in the fora and bodies of the NATO Alliance of which we have been a member since March last year. At the end, let me once again thank all of you for honoring us with your esteemed presence even in conditions of a pandemic and to congratulate my colleagues from the Agency for National Security the day of our Agency. Thank you.
Address by the Minister of Defense, Radmila Shekjerinska Jankovska, at the ceremony on the occasion of the day of the Agency for National Security
Address by the Minister of Interior, Oliver Spasovski, at the ceremony on the occasion of the day of the Agency for National Security
Directors meeting held in Ljubljana, Slovenia
On May 27, 2021 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, a directors meeting was held between the Agency for National Security of the Republic of North Macedonia and the Slovenian Security-Intelligence Agency – SOVA. The meeting was held upon SOVA initiative with the aim of strengthening the cooperation between the two partner Agencies, on the eve of the Slovenian Presidency with the Council of the European Union. During the meeting, intelligence was exchanged regarding the challenges the two Agencies face with as well as the activities undertaken in the field of protecting the national interests of the two countries. At the same time, specific activities and further expert level meetings between representatives of the two Agencies were arranged in the direction of deepening the cooperation on bilateral, regional and multilateral plan. The SOVA Director, Mr. Janez Stušek, extended an official invitation to the ANB Director, Mr. Viktor Dimovski, for his participation at the CTG (Counterterrorism Group) meeting scheduled to take place in September 2021. During the Slovenian Presidency with the Council of the European Union, the Directors of the security institutions of the Western Balkan countries will be invited to participate at this meeting as well.
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Online lecture by the ANB Director Viktor Dimovski
On 28.04.2021, the ANB Director, Viktor Dimovski, gave a lecture on topic “The place and role of the Agency for national security in the security system of Republic of North Macedonia” for professors and students from the Faculty for Security – Skopje. During the lecture, the Director explained the legal framework and the mandate of the Agency, as well as the security risks and threats with which the Agency is facing in today’s complex conditions. The participants had the opportunity in direct communication with the Director Dimovski to ask questions and get information about the Agency, as well as about the activities as part of the NATO security system after becoming member of the Alliance. The lecture provoked great interest, as evidenced by the number of over 160 attendees. More information at the following link.
Signed Memorandum of Cooperation between the Agency for National Security and the Intelligence Agency
Guided by the need for mutual cooperation with the aim of protecting the national security of the country, PhD Viktor Dimovski, Director of the Agency for National Security, and Erolld Musliu, Director of the Intelligence Agency, on February 10th, 2021, in the premises of the Intelligence Agency in Skopje, signed a Memorandum of Understanding. This Memorandum presents a base for cooperation and exchange of data and experiences with the aim of preserving the sovereignty, the independence, the territorial integrity and the constitutional order of the Republic of North Macedonia, exchange of data regarding current political and security conditions on regional level, exchange of experiences in the use of information technologies, the information security and crypto protection, exchange of experiences regarding the cooperation with international institutions and organizations, cooperation in the scope of vocational training and use of expert personnel, carrying out and participating in specialized trainings, as well as organizing events of interest to both institutions with the aim of promoting the joint activities and accomplishments.
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Signed Memorandum of Cooperation between the Agency for National Security and the University “American College” Skopje
On February, 10th, 2021, in the premises of the University “American College” Skopje, the Agency for National Security, represented by the Director, PhD Viktor Dimovski, and the University “American College” Skopje, represented by the Rector, Prof. Tome Nenovski, PhD, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. With this act, the Agency and the University confirmed the joint interest in establishing and enhancing mutual cooperation in the scientific-research and applicative activity, exchange of knowledge and experiences in several fields, providing mutual expert help in creating important strategic documents from the security field, using expert literature from the library funds, organization and participation in trainings, round table discussions, debates, conferences and other events of joint interest, as well as cooperation in the process of profiling professional personnel from among the students at the University, for the needs of the Agency.
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Signed Memorandum of Cooperation between the National Security Agency and the University “Mother Teresa” in Skopje
On February 09th, 2021, in the premises of the “Mother Teresa” University in Skopje, a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Director of the National Security Agency, PhD Viktor Dimovski and the Rector of the “Mother Teresa” University in Skopje, PhD Aziz Polozhani was signed. By signing this Memorandum, the Agency and the University confirm the shared interest in establishing and enhancing the mutual cooperation, especially in the part of exchange of knowledge and experiences in several areas, providing expert assistance, organizing and participating in different events of common interest, cooperation in creating important strategic documents in the field of security, as well as cooperation in the area of awarding scholarships with the aim of profiling professional cadre from within the regular students at the University, for the needs of the Agency.
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Participation of the Director of the National Security Agency at an International Conference on Countering Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing
On December 10th, 2020, ANB Director, Viktor Dimovski, participated at an online International Conference on Countering Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing, organized by the German HEIDELBERG University, the Business and Management Institute Skopje, in cooperation with the Banking and IT Academy – ABIT Skopje, on the topic of “The Influence of COVID- 19 on the Efforts by the Government and the Private Sector in the Fight Against Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing”. In his address, among else, Director Dimovski pointed out that the challenge for the institutions is timely recognizing the risks and threats that could directly or indirectly influence the national security.” The experiences, both global and domestic, indicate that the individuals involved in criminal and terrorist activities adapt fast to the new circumstances imposed by the pandemic and take advantage of them for accomplishing their goals. Hence, a coordinated and synchronized functioning of all the institutions in the system is essential”, emphasized Director, V. Dimovski.
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Online lecture by the Director of the National Security Agency for the students of the Security Faculty – Skopje
On December 10th, 2020, the Director of the National Security Agency, Viktor Dimovski, upon an invitation by the Security Faculty – Skopje within the “St Clement of Ohrid” University – Bitola, held an online lecture on the topic of: “The National Security Agency and the Security Risks in the Republic of North Macedonia” In his address, Dimovski talked about the legal set-up of the ANB as a security body in the security system of our country, emphasizing the preventive role of the Agency in the overall handling with the risks and threats against the national security. Director Dimovski also talked about the security challenges our country is currently facing, including the occasional increase of tension in the geopolitical relations, the globally increasing trend of international terrorism, the occasional manifestations of religious, national and ideological-political extremism, the serious and organized crime and the high corruption as well as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Part of the lecture referred to the current risks upon the public health caused by the pandemic, as well as the rapidly increasing trend of the hybrid and cyber threats.
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Signed Memorandum for cooperation between the Agency for national Security and the Central registry of the Republic of North Macedonia
On December 2nd, 2020, the Director of the Agency for national security, Viktor Dimovski, and the director of the Central registry of the Republic of North Macedonia, Marija Boshkovska Jankovski, at the ANB headquarters signed a Memorandum for cooperation. With the Memorandum, the relations between both parties are regulated, when obtaining data, with aim to discover and counter activities related to the security threats and risks upon the national security of the country. The mutual cooperation covers the exchange of data and information that are kept in the registries of the provider and the user of data, in order to promote and develop the cooperation and more efficiently to effectuate the legal competences of both institutions.
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Signed Memorandum of Cooperation between the Agency for National Security and the Civil Aviation Agency
On November 5th 2020, in the premises of the Civil Aviation Agency in Skopje, a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Agency for National Security, represented by the Director, PhD Viktor Dimovski, and the Civil Aviation Agency represented by the Director, PhD Tomislav Tuntev was signed. Through this Memorandum, the Agency for National Security and the Civil Aviation Agency express their willingness to establish cooperation and provide support in terms of exchanging experiences, knowledge and mutual expert assistance in the procedures and the activities related to the security and the safety in the air traffic, providing highest security standards, as well as experience exchange in preparing programs for trainings and education of personnel in the areas of common interest.
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Signed Memorandum of Cooperation between the Agency for National Security and the University in Tetovo
On November 4th 2020, the Director of the Agency for National Security, PhD Viktor Dimovski and the Rector of the University in Tetovo, PhD Vulnet Ameti, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation at the headquarters of the University in Tetovo. The signing of the Memorandum presents a confirmation of the mutual interest of the Agency and the University to establish and develop a cooperation with the intention of efficient conducting of the authorities stipulated by Law, as well as with the aim of inciting and affirming the efforts for exchange of knowledge and experiences in several areas by offering expert help, joint participation in various events of common interest, cooperation in preparing important strategic documents from the security field, as well as giving recommendations for profiling of professional personnel from among the students at the University for the needs of the Agency.
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Signed Memorandum of Cooperation between the Agency for National Security and the National Coordination Centre for Border Management
On October 6, 2020, in the premises of the Agency for National Security, the director of the Agency, PhD Viktor Dimovski and the national coordinator for border management, PhD Vladimir Pivovarov, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. The signing of this Memorandum is directed towards improved and more rapid exchange of data that is of significance for the integrated border work and for more efficient and quality conducting of the authorities in the scope of protecting the national security. This Memorandum will provide development, efficient management, use and operational work of the Data Exchange System, high level of protection and security in its use and when linked with other information-communication systems high level of exchange of data that is relevant for the Integrated Border Management, undisturbed use of the services and data exchange among the users of the System, conducting more quality border control at the border crossings and securing the state border, as well as cooperation in the scope of the expert education and improvement and mobility of the personnel.
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Signed Memorandum of cooperation between the Agency for National Security and the University „Goce Delchev” – Shtip
On September 24, 2020, at the rector’s office of the „Goce Delchev” University – Shtip, the director of the Agency for National Security, PhD Viktor Dimovski, and the rector of the „Goce Delchev” University, PhD Blazho Boev, signed a Memorandum for cooperation. This Memorandum represents a foundation for establishing and improving of the cooperation in numerous fields of common interest, through encouragement and affirming the exchange of knowledge and experiences, providing mutual expert assistance, participation on events such as round tables discussions, debates and conferences, as well as conveying mutual support in direction of improving and profiling professional personnel from the ranks of the students at the University, for the requirements of the Agency.
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Interview of the director Viktor Dimovski for MIA
In the forthcoming period, one of the key tasks will be finalizing the activities related to the dislocation of the ANB to the new premises, as well as personnel equipping, continuous personnel renewal and adequate training in line with the high NATO standards. Not less important is the technical equipping necessary for successful countering the current challenges and threats in conditions of exceptionally dynamic technical and technological development, pointed out the director of the Agency for National Security (ANB), Viktor Dimovski, in an interview for MIA, on the occasion of the first anniversary of the work of the Agency. In doing the equipping with new personnel, emphasizes the director, attention will be paid to adequate and righteous ethnic and gender representation as well, primarily respecting the expertise and competence criteria. In the interview for MIA, Dimovski also talks about the imperative of the ANB – creating a safe environment, emphasizing that after the fully fledged membership in NATO, ANB became an integral part and an equal partner of the security and intelligence segment of the Alliance. – In this period we have/had a stabile security situation in the country, mentions among else Dimovski. Regarding the “bombs” that are being published both of the ruling party and the opposition during the pre-election campaign, he says that the analysis of those materials shows that this is documented communication from a period before the beginning of work of ANB and that they do not come from the use of institutional measures. However, he adds, considering the place and the role of the Agency in the security system, the origin and the way those materials were provided still needs to be discovered, as well as incapacitating any further use of such activities outside the legal frames should be accomplished. He also speaks about the real need, as he emphasizes, of planned investments in personnel, equipment, trainings…, about the cooperation with foreign security services, above all from the neighboring countries and the countries from the region, about the conducting of the polygraph and the integrity test as well as other questions related to the work of the ANB. Below is the entire interview with Viktor Dimovski: One year since the functioning of the Agency for National Security. How independent is the Agency and how does it function, since the Agency was one of the key reforms in the security and intelligence system in terms of the country’s path towards the EU? – Within the thorough structural reforms of the security-intelligence system, the establishing of the Agency for National Security was aimed at overcoming the shortcomings from the past and creating a credible and efficient subject as part of the national security protection system. With the beginning of the work of the Agency, exactly a year ago, the last step in the reform of the security sector of our country was made, with which the Security and Counterintelligence Service, which in the past period was misused for individual and group interests, finally became history. Previously, in accordance with the recommendations from the Report of the experts group headed by Reinhardt Priebe and in line with the measures covered in the government plans 3-6-9 and Plan 18, the Operational Technical Agency (OTA) was established as well. The reform process of the security-intelligence system was complemented with the establishing of the security-intelligence community coordination body. Established following the example of the modern European security Services and equipped with personnel in accordance with the high NATO standards, the Agency for National Security focuses its overall capacities towards following the current security challenges and readiness for fast and effective response to the potential threats and risks against the security of the country and its citizens. With the planned activities executed in the past year and with the continuous update of its own norms, personnel and IT capacities, the Agency is absolutely ready to respond to the potential threats as a professional, independent and accountable security Service in accordance with the legal regulations and by respecting high ethical and professional standards. What is the security situation from your point of view? – Creating safe environment is our imperative, which is not a simple task in conditions of complex security surrounding, globalization and digitalization, as well as of global competition for economic balance, power over the information and increasing the power of the non-state actors. In such a dynamic and unpredictable context the geopolitical relations, the development of the events in the field of terrorism and extremism, the use of new dual-use technologies, as well as the contemporary forms of serious and organized crime and corruptive behaviors with the potential to destabilize the economic security of the country are being monitored. Taking into consideration the above mentioned, as well as the activities related to the continued election campaign, the crisis and later on the extraordinary situation related with the attempts for overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic with the associated economic and social effects, the assessment that in this period we have/had stabile security situation in the country imposes. How much is your experience as a diplomat, and at one period the head of the Intelligence Agency, of use to you in the contacts and the cooperation with the other Agencies? – The experience of the holders of public positions in various environments is being seen differently, depending on the democratic maturity, the political culture, the established practices… In my case, the two and a half decades spent in diplomatic service and the previously established personal communication with influential people who have leadership positions in the politics, diplomacy and in security, of course were of great benefit. What is the biggest deficit of the Agency, personnel, equipment, trainings or independence and freedom in its work? – ANB is a new, independent state body with precisely defined authorities in line with the existing legislation. A considerable path from the reform process has been paved, we are trying by painstaking work to respond to the complex security tasks, with a honorable and professional behavior to overcome i.e. to change the existing perception and the prejudice from the past, to create an atmosphere of trust and provide support from the citizens as a partner in the protection of the security of the country. On the other hand, we have established an atmosphere of complete trust with all relevant actors in our society and we have room for professional approach, without any outside interference, suggestions or pressure. So far, important steps in the field of establishing the Agency, proper personnel and technical equipping, institutional positioning and successful start with work have been done. However, considering the fact that we live in an era of fast and unpredictable changes that know no borders, in a complex security environment full of series of challenges, threats and risks with an increasing potential, in an era of globalization and digitalization with a galloping increase of power of non-state actors, we have a real need of planned investing both in personnel, equipment and trainings as well… What is the cooperation with the Agencies from the region? – In the previous period, an important step forward was done in the field of establishing intensive cooperation with foreign security services, primarily with the countries from the closer vicinity, as well as from the NATO member countries. After the fully fledged membership in NATO, ANB became an integral part and an equal partner of the security and intelligence segment of the Alliance. What are your priorities for the forthcoming year? – In the following period, one of the key tasks for us would be finalizing the transfer of ANB premises to a new facility, as well as staffing, continuous personnel renewal and appropriate training for working in accordance with the high NATO standards. No least important is the technical equipping with the aim of successful countering the contemporary challenges and threats in conditions of exceptionally dynamic technical and technological development. Finishing the process of adopting bylaws and internal acts related to previous bringing of certain legal solutions from other fields, as well as initiating suitable legal solutions with the aim of thorough aligning with certain provisions stipulated in the Law on the ANB remain as a task as well. All this shall be followed by further continuous growth by improving the process of operational and operational-analytical work, further strengthening of the inter-ministerial and international cooperation, thorough openness towards the institutions in charge of external control and proper media transparency. During the pre-electoral campaign we heard many illegal recordings of conversations of representatives from the ruling party and the opposition. Many labeled the campaign as “bombard”. It is obvious that in the country there is illegal interception? How does that force its way among us? – The analysis of the materials shows that this is documented communication from a period before the beginning of the work of the ANB and that they do not come from the use of institutional measures. However, considering the position and the role of the Agency in the security system the task of discovering the origin and the way the material was obtained, as well as the obligation to disable any future use of such activities outside the legal framework remains. You started your work with a series of accusations about the personnel that is to say that there are employees who are with criminal indictments, some with dual citizenships, as well as small percentage of employees with Albanian ethnicity. What is the situation, now, after a year? – The work of the security Service is always a subject of public interest and often a target of much critique that in many of the cases is well-founded. However, that was not the instance in the cases you mention. The changes in the establishing of the Agency were radical, and whenever there are radical changes, it is absolutely expected that there will be resilience by those who are covered by those changes. Among the selected employees there is not a single one with dual citizenship, although unfortunately due to the law we had to renounce several candidates with long-time experience and with professional profile needed for our work. The allegation regarding the representation of the other ethnic groups was absolutely unfounded as well, since as I had argued even back then, we have increased that number from the very beginning with work by several percent compared to the previous period. In the past eight months, due to the provisions in the Election Law and the Law on Countering Corruption and Clash of Interests it was impossible to have new employments. However, as I had mentioned before, the staffing, continuous personnel renewal and proper training are among our priorities and in that respect much attention will be paid to proper and righteous ethnic and gender representation, but above all respecting the expertise and competency criteria. Will anything change in the employment criteria in the future, while the vetting process remains a constant? – The conditions and the procedures for employment in the Agency are strictly stipulated by law. The same goes for the vetting which is stipulated in Article 69 from the Law on ANB and after the formal membership in NATO it is conducted in accordance with the highest NATO standards. In the process of employment you had foreseen a polygraph test and integrity test, how do these processes go? – In the past period, the necessary activities had been undertaken and the procedures for their providing and implementing are ongoing. The polygraph test and the integrity test are also stipulated by law, although they had been accompanied by many challenges in their implementation due to the lack of proper normative, personnel and technical resources in the country, the necessity of longer period of time needed for the preparations for their effectuation, as well as the specificity of the security profession. You announced that you had foreseen employment of the best students who would show interest in in the ANB. Is there newly employed young cadre in the Agency? – Yes, and stand firm on that stance. So far, we have signed Memoranda of Cooperation with the St Cyril and Methodius and St Clement of Ohrid Universities, and we have prepared the texts of the Memoranda of Cooperation also with the Tetovo and the Shtip Universities, the signing of which was postponed due to the provisions in the Election Law with which such activities in the electoral period are sanctioned. Among else, with this effort, we want to send also a message that the young people’s place is in their homeland and that for the best of them there will always be room in the institutions, which in the democratic societies it is an honor to work in. Recently you appeared with an announcement, as a response to the accusations by the now former technical Minister of interior Nakje Chulev, that ANB does not possess equipment for interception of communications, or mediation devices for activating the interception of communications in the operator’s networks. Do you have or not have enough equipment? – The statement and the allegations by the back then technical Minister of interior were completely unfounded and politically motivated. On this occasion, I can only repeat once again the quotations from the announcement that, in accordance with the Law on the Operational-Technical Agency, all the equipment was handed over to the OTA in October 2018. “In the minutes for the handover of the equipment it is registered that the mediation devices, owned by the telecommunication operators, which until then were in the MoI i.e. UBK, have been handed over as well. The handover was conducted under supervision by a Committee in the composition of which there were representatives of the Supreme Court and the Parliamentary Committee for Oversight over the Use of the Interception of Communications Measures. In addition, the Agency does not have a technical capability to independently activate and conduct interception of communications in the networks of the telecommunication operators without the mediation of the Operational-Technical Agency.” In fact, in the procedure, the Public Prosecutor, after the written reporting by the technical minister, assessed that the allegations in the reporting are not founded. What makes ANB contemporary is the established system of parliamentary and civil control. How many meetings that is to say controls have been made by these institutions so far, and what is the cooperation with these bodies? – Successful cooperation with the control bodies over the work of ANB has been established as well, and the Agency is open for real insight into all its activities. One specific of the past period is the intensive communication and cooperation with the Committee for Oversight over the Work of the Agency for National Security and the Intelligence Agency, as well as with the Committee for Oversight over the Interception of Communications Measures. To illustrate this, I will mention that in the period until the Parliament was dissolved related with the early elections I had around ten meetings with the members of the two parliamentary oversight committees, which is more than all the meetings of all the directors of the former UBK. I hope that with the new parliament we will continue in the same direction, and at the same time I strongly believe that the forthcoming negotiations for EU membership will be an additional catalyst for the improvement and promotion of this important step forward. ANB is still in the old premises in the MoI, and as part of the reform of the security-intelligence system in our country, it is an independent Agency outside the MoI. Are there any chances that you will get your own, new premises in near future? -The implementation of the concept of the Agency functioning as an independent state body among else includes its physical separation from the MoI. In that sense, during the past year appropriate activities for providing the appropriate building were undertaken and by decision of the government, it was ceded for the needs of the Agency. With the beginning of the election process, and having in mind the authorities of the technical government, those activities had been ceased, and due to the extraordinary conditions related to the efforts to manage the Covid-19 pandemic, the postponing was unfortunately prolonged. Hence, finalizing the activities for physical dislocation of the ANB into new premises will be on the top of our agenda, as well as on the agenda of the government, for the following period. In this, we are aware that an attention will have to be paid to the necessity to handle the coronavirus pandemic and the stability in this sense. However, I hope that soon we will have the next interview in into the new premises. Can you explain to us the process for obtaining i.e. issuing the security clearances important for the employees or for the employment in the ANB? – In accordance with the provisions in the Law on Classified Information, the procedure for issuing security clearances includes several activities. For issuing a security clearance for access to information with certain level of classification, the physical or legal entity interested submits written request to the Directorate for Security of Classified Information. The fulfilling of the conditions for issuing security clearance is determined through security vetting. The security vetting is conducted based on previous written consent by the physical or the legal entity that had submitted request for issuing the security clearance. You can get more information on the following link..
Collective Agreement for the Employees in the Agency for National Security was signed
Today in Skopje at the ceremony on the occasion of celebrating the Day of the Agency for National Security and the first anniversary since its establishing, the director of the Agency for National Security, PhD Viktor Dimovski, and the president of the Macedonian Police Syndicate, PhD Marjan Kicev, signed the Collective Agreement for the ANB employees.
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Signed Memorandum of cooperation between the Agency for National Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
On 09.06.2020, a Memorandum of Cooperation has been signed between the Agency for National Security, represented by the Director Viktor Dimovski, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented by the Minister Nikola Dimitrov, with which they confirmed the joint commitment to establish direct cooperation in the function of protecting the national security of the country. This Memorandum represents a basis for developing and promotion of the relations and the realization of the protection of the rights and interests of the Republic of North Macedonia in the international relations with other countries, international bodies, organizations and communities, exchange of experiences in preservation of the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and the constitutional order, cooperation in the field of expert training and improvement of professional personnel, as well as referral of Agency employees to diplomatic-consular offices to carry out specific security and information activities in the interest of the Republic of North Macedonia.
Speech of the Director of the Agency for National Security, Viktor Dimovski at the ceremony on the occasion of celebrating the Day of the Agency for National Security
Esteemed President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr. Stevo Pendarovski,
Esteemed President of the Government, Mr. Zoran Zaev,
Esteemed vice Prime Minister, Mr. Artan Grubi,
Esteemed members of the Government,
Dear guests and representatives of the bodies for supervision over the work of the Agency, representatives of the diplomatic corps and partner Services,
Esteemed colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,
While expressing gratitude for Your presence, please allow me at the beginning, to congratulate all of us on September 1st – the day of the Agency for National Security, which at the same time is the day of the establishing of the Agency.
On this day, exactly a year ago, the Agency began its work. It was Sunday, a nonworking day for most of the professions in the country, but not for the employees of the Agency.
“The safety of the country and the citizens knows no nonworking days and holidays”, I said back then, and since then “all the capacities of the Agency, in accordance with the Law on its founding and in accordance with the internal acts for operability” were put in full function.
Today, a year after, I can say that a complete discontinuity with the conditions from the past has been made and that the capacity and the resources of the Agency are completely put in function of protecting the national security, that is to say protecting the independence, the sovereignty, the constitutional order and the basic human rights and freedoms and the rights and freedoms of the citizens guaranteed by the Constitution.
In the past year, the essential steps in the field of aligning and adopting the by-laws and the internal regulation had been made, which enabled all further activities to be effectuated in accordance with the new legislation of the Agency. In that context, steps were made in the direction of hiring personnel by taking over employees from the Ministry of Interior and from other state and public administration institutions as well as a selection and hiring of new personnel, part of which are the best students from the Macedonian universities. A process of continued trainings of the employees with the aim of their professional upgrading for working in accordance with the highest NATO standards was established. An important step forward was made in the area of establishing inter-institutional cooperation with relevant institutions in the country and an intensive cooperation with foreign security Services was initiated, above all with such from the region and from NATO member countries. After the fully fledged NATO membership, the Agency became an integral part and an equal partner of the security-intelligence segment of the Alliance. Successful cooperation with the control bodies over the work of the ANB was realized as well, in which ANB presents its willingness for open and real insight into all the activities (to illustrate this, I will mention that in the period until the Parliament was dissolved related to the early elections, I had around ten meetings with the members of both parliamentary oversight committees, which is more than all the meetings of all the directors of former UBK). We have showed our willingness for transparency with the media appropriate to the specifics and the standards that need to be respected when security services are in question. And finally, an important step forward has been made in the area of protecting the rights of the employees by adjusting the text and the todays signing of the collective agreement with the Syndicate.
All this was done in conditions of prolonged election process, crisis situation introduced in part and then extraordinary situation introduced on the whole territory of our country due to the uncertainty and the challenges related with the Covid-19, when we had to pay attention both to the health of the employees as well as the need to remain fully functional and capacitated so that we would be able to handle the tasks and the challenges that are under our authority.
And in the world we live in, those are growing, rapid, complex, dynamic and unpredictable to a great extent. The globalization trend led to internationalization of the overall threats that are constantly increasing both in space and time...we are facing a daily increase of threats and risks from the aspect of terrorism, radicalism and extremism, cyber threats, organized crime, proliferation, illegal migration. The gravity of all those phenomena and the dangers they carry with them in a given moment might disrupt the social cohesion, the democracy and the economy as foundations of stability and security.
Hence the importance of the readiness, mobility and devotion by the ANB employees, as well as of the other security entities which represent the most sensitive security shield of the country.
Esteemed,
Expressing pleasure form what was so far done, allow me to mention in short what is ahead of us in the forthcoming period:
- Finalizing the activities for physical dislocation of ANB to new premises,
- Personnel equipping, continuous staff renewal and proper training for working in line with the highest NATO standards,
- Technical equipping with the aim of successful countering the modern challenges and threats in conditions of exceptionally dynamic technical-technological development,
- Finishing the process of adopting the by-laws and internal acts related to the previous adoption of certain legal solutions in other areas, as well as initiatives for some legal solutions with the purpose of aligning with some provisions from the Law on ANB.
All this, followed by further growth by upgrading the process of operational and operational-analytical work, further strengthening of the inter-institutional and international cooperation, complete openness towards the institutions tasked with external control and proper media transparency.
In that direction we expect further strong support, primarily from the government, but also from the other institutions in the country.
While from our side, on behalf of the employees in the Agency and my personal behalf, I would like to once again accentuate the determination, motivation and willingness to persevere on the path we are walking, creating a contemporary, modern security service, capable of handling all current challenges in order to protect the security interests of the Republic of North Macedonia and all the citizens.
Allow me in the end to once again thank you for accepting the invitation and that with your valued presence today you contributed our holiday, the Day of the Agency for National Security, to be even more significant and more festive.
Thank you.
Speech by the President of the Government, Zoran Zaev, at the ceremony on the occasion of celebrating the Day of the Agency for National Security
Media statements of the President of the Government Zoran Zaev and the Director of the Agency for National Security Viktor Dimovski on the occasion of the celebration of the Day of the Agency for National Security and the first anniversary from its establishing
Signed Memorandum of Cooperation between the Agency for National Security and the University “St. Klement of Ohrid”
On January 27, 2020, in the premises of the University of “St Clement of Ohrid” - Bitola, the Director of the Agency for National Security, PhD Viktor Dimovski and the Rector of the University “St Clement of Ohrid”, PhD Sasho Korunovski, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. With the signing of this Memorandum, the mutual cooperation in several areas of common interest such as: education of personnel, preparation of strategic documents in the field of security, scientific-research and applicative activity, mutual expert assistance, using the library fund, organizing round-table discussions, debates, conferences and other joint events, as well as profiling professional cadre from the students at the University for the needs of the Agency is being incited and promoted. The cooperation will enable using the professional, expert and teaching staff, as well as the material-technical and spatial potentials of both institutions in the direction of improving the educational, research and applicative activities with the aim of conducting the activities under their legal mandates. You can find out more about the event on the following link..
Signed Memorandum of Cooperation between the Agency for National Security and the “St Cyril and Methodius” University
On January 24, 2020, in the premises of the “St Cyril and Methodius” University, the Director of the Agency for National Security, PhD Viktor Dimovski, and the Rector of the University of “St Cyril and Methodius”, PhD Nikola Jankulovski, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. With the Memorandum, the joint effort for improving the cooperation in the field of education of cadre for the efficient conducting of the mandates stipulated by law is confirmed, and a legal frame for mutual assistance and support in several areas of common interest, preparing documents from the security field, scientific-research and applicative activity, mutual expert help as well as profiling of the professional cadre from among the students at the university for the needs of the Agency is being created. Photos form the event
Signed Memorandum of Cooperation between the Agency for National Security and the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of North Macedonia
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01.09.2019, Skopje
Speech by Viktor Dimovski, Director of the Agency for National Security, on the occasion of the beginning of work of the Agency, Government of the Republic of North Macedonia
Respected media representatives,
Respected citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia,
At the beginning I would like to thank You for the interest and Your presence at this press conference.
At the same time, I would like to thank also the members of both Committees established by the government, the Committee for creating the ANB Acts and the Committee for Selection of the UBK employees АНБ that are taken over in the Agency for National Security, (who in the past two decades have done great work and) who together with the new deputy director of ANB (who takes office today) are present at today’s press conference.
The first Committee (for creating Acts) in the legally foreseen deadlines created, and the government adopted, the basic Acts for the functioning of the Agency:
- Decree on Organization and Work of the Agency for National Security,
- Rulebook on Systematization of working positions in the Agency for National Security, and
- Decision for determining the value of the points for calculating the basic salary for the working positions in the Agency for National Security.
The second Committee (for the selection of UBK employees taken over in the ANB; among whose members were also two MPs suggested by the competent Body of the Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia for oversight over the work of the Agency, as well as two representatives from the Macedonian Police Syndicate, as the representative syndicate in the Ministry), acting in accordance with Article 186 Paragraph 7 and 10 from the Law on ANB, conducted selection of a number of employees necessary for the functioning of the ANB, in a procedure that included vetting in accordance with the highest security standards.
The successful work of the two Committees in a short period of time, in accordance with the deadlines stipulated in the Law on ANB, enabled timely beginning with work of the new security institution.
Respected,
It is my honor that as Director of the Agency for National Security, today, on September 1, 2019, I can announce that the Agency starts its regular work.
Although for most of the professions in our country Sunday is a nonworking day this is not the case for the Agency for National Security. All the capacities of the Agency, in accordance with the law on its establishing, and in accordance with the internal operability Acts, starting today are in full function.
The security of the country and the citizens does not know nonworking days and holidays, hence today is the first working day of the employees in the Agency. On that occasion I congratulate all the employees and I wish them successful work in protecting the national security of the country, that is to say protecting the independence, the sovereignty, constitutional order and the basic human rights and freedoms and the rights and freedoms of the citizens guaranteed by the Constitution.
Allow me to point out that today is a historical day. Today we can rightly say that the key phase in the reform of the security sector in our country finishes and that the Security and Counterintelligence Service, which in the past period was misused for individual and group interests, finally goes into history.
I use the term misuse, because in certain periods in the past, and especially during the rule of the previous government, the citizens and the country were, in a way, victims of the misuse of the capacities, the resources and part of the employees in the Service.
Today starts a new era in this field. The Agency for National Security is an independent Agency, outside the MoI, as part of the final steps of the reform of the security-intelligence system of the Republic of North Macedonia.
With this, another step forward was made towards overcoming the shortcomings mentioned in the reports from the European Commission for the Republic of North Macedonia, and by establishing new institutions a step forward towards accomplishing discontinuity with certain conditions inherent in captive countries and enabling thorough protection of the rights and freedoms of the citizens, instead of their misuse.
The Agency within the frames of its work will devote itself to implementing and conducting the reforms in accordance with the European security standards, thus as a stability factor in the region, it will give its contribution to the overall process of integration of our country in NATO and EU.
Previously, in accordance with the recommendations in the Report by the experts group headed by Reinhard Priebe and in accordance with the measures in the governmental plans 3-6-9 and the Plan 18, the Operational-Technical Agency (OTA) was established, thus breaking up the monopoly i.e. the concentration of power that the UBK had over the communication interception system. This is a guarantee that there is no illegal interception.
What makes the Agency modern and in service of the citizens and the interests of the country is the established system of parliamentary and civil control over its work. In that sense, the Agency will be constantly open to insight into its work and will respect the high legal standards.
The reform process of the security-intelligence system was complemented by establishing the Body for Coordination of the security-intelligence community with strictly determined scope of work, composition, way of work and of bringing decisions, as well as specific aspects regarding its work that are foreseen in function of conducting efficient coordination of the security-intelligence community.
I would like to once again emphasize that the reform process of the security sector however does not end with the day of the beginning of work of the Agency for National Security.
The reform means development capacity of constant improvement and upgrade of the capacities available in the security system, a system that can face with the contemporary threats and risks against the national and international security.
In this process, honesty and professional integrity of each member of the Agency, who with his/her reputation shall provide the support and the trust of the citizen as a partner in the protection of the security of the country is of exceptional importance.
Respected,
In the end of my speech I would like to once again point out my assurance that with the work of the Agency for National Security completely in line with the constitutional and legal framework in our country and with respecting and implementing the basic European values we will demonstrate not only determination, but also a capacity to handle the complex security challenges in the forthcoming period.
Thank You.