Coffee with Ambassadors Archives

A new edition of Coffee with Ambassadors was held yesterday at Europe House Veles, focusing on “Digitalisation, Cybersecurity and FIMI (Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference)”. The event brought together the French Ambassador, H.E. Christophe Le Rigoleur, and the Italian Ambassador, H.E. Paolo Palminteri.

Among the participants were representatives of local institutions, the media, civil society and the business community, as well as young people and teachers. Discussions focused on the impact of digital platforms on public discourse and democracy, media independence, the protection of citizens’ rights online, and the challenges posed by disinformation and cybersecurity threats.

The conversation explored who sets the rules and shapes the content we see, share and read on digital platforms, as well as Europe’s efforts to safeguard citizens’ rights and democratic values in the digital environment. Participants also discussed European regulations governing digital platforms, the relationship between protecting democracy and upholding freedom of speech, and ways to strengthen journalistic integrity at both local and global levels.

Cyberattacks were examined as a security challenge, rather than merely a technical problem. Particular attention was given to foreign information manipulation and disinformation in Europe and the Western Balkans. The discussion addressed how existing divisions and unresolved disputes can be exploited to spread messages that undermine trust and contribute to instability.

Participants also considered what candidate countries can do to protect democracy and the information space even before joining the EU, and what support EU Member States can provide to help them meet these challenges.

At the end of the discussion, participants were invited to reflect on how local institutions, the media, schools, civil society and the business community can help make their communities more resilient to manipulation.

Coffee with Ambassadors is part of Europe House’s activities aimed at creating space for dialogue on European policies, experiences and values, and exploring their practical significance for citizens and local communities across North Macedonia.

A new edition of “Coffee with Ambassadors” took place yesterday at Europe House Strumica, this time focusing on “Agriculture and Rural Development”, with the participation of H.E. Petra Drexler, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, and H.E. Özlem Canel, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Bringing together farmers, academics and representatives of civil society from the region, the event opened a discussion on the role of agriculture in today’s European economies, the experiences of Germany and the Netherlands, and the opportunities European integration can bring to farmers and rural communities in North Macedonia.

As one of the country’s key agricultural regions, Strumica was a natural setting for a conversation about a sector that is not only an economic activity, but also an important part of local identity, tradition and everyday life.

A particular focus of the discussion was the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and what it means for farmers in practice. Participants explored how European agricultural policies shape production, support for farmers, environmental standards and the development of rural communities, as well as what joining this system could mean for small and medium-sized agricultural producers in North Macedonia.

The ambassadors shared Germany’s and the Netherlands’ experiences in addressing one of the key challenges facing modern agriculture: how to maintain high productivity while protecting soil, water, biodiversity and the environment.

The conversation also addressed the challenges of sustainable agriculture and climate change, and the need to adapt to changing conditions without compromising competitiveness. Innovation and the future of agriculture were also high on the agenda. Participants discussed experiences with precision farming, greenhouse technologies, digitalisation, research and agricultural cooperatives as approaches that can contribute to greater efficiency and more sustainable production.

Particular attention was given to the potential of the Strumica region, which benefits from fertile soil, a strong tradition of vegetable production and good access to regional markets. The discussion highlighted the importance of building on these strengths through greater access to knowledge and technology, stronger cooperation and better use of European development opportunities.

Drawing on the experiences of Germany and the Netherlands, participants had the opportunity to hear how European policies are put into practice, and what opportunities, changes and responsibilities they bring for farmers and rural communities. The event concluded with a discussion on the future of agriculture in North Macedonia, focusing on innovation, sustainable practices, better organisation and the use of European support instruments.

“Coffee with Ambassadors” is part of Europe House’s activities aimed at creating space for dialogue on European policies, experiences and values, and their practical relevance for citizens and local communities across North Macedonia.