Balkans | The “Digitization Process in Southeast Europe” was discussed at the conference in Thessaloniki

At a conference titled “Paving the Way for the Regional Digital Decade” in Thessaloniki, Greece, digital transformation in Southeast Europe was discussed in different dimensions by guests from countries in the region.

In a session entitled “Digital Transformation, New Vision and Regional Development” organized within the scope of the conference, the steps taken by various countries in Southeast Europe in the field of digitization were shared.

Stavros Kalafatis, Greece’s Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, whose term ends today, outlined the steps his country has taken in the name of digitization in public services in the past four years, and noted that digitization accelerated during COVID-19. epidemiological process.

Dimosthenis Anagnostopoulos, one of the general secretaries of the Greek Ministry of Digital Management, noted that investments in technology are not only creating new business areas, but also strengthening the country’s infrastructure.

Athanasios Stavris, one of the general secretaries of the Greek Ministry of Digital Management, stated that the future is hidden in space technology and expressed that cyber security is also an important need.

Emphasizing that cyberspace knows no borders, Stavris noted that when the cybersecurity of a country is in danger, it endangers the cybersecurity of other countries. Therefore, Stavris stressed the need for cooperation between countries in the field of cyber security.

– First of all, it is necessary to invest in human resources

The former head of the Presidency Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mladen Ivanić, said that digital transformation is not among the Balkan priorities, and the leaders of the “old (old) generation in particular cannot give due importance to this transformation.

Expressing that although Europe sends the message “Our doors are open for you” to the Balkans, in reality these doors remain closed due to various reservations, Ivanik said, “There are issues between the European Union and non-member states of the European Union (EU) Balkans On issues such as education, digitization and the environment, he suggested developing a special relationship and making progress in these areas in the region.

Arberie Nagavci, Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation of Kosovo stressed the need to invest in human resources first for digitization.

Eduard Mietelo, Secretary of the Romanian Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization also pointed out the importance of knowledge and technology sharing in the digital age and said: “We must view change as an opportunity rather than a threat.” He said.

Speaking on behalf of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Anita Richter drew attention to the difference in digitization rates in the European Union and Southeast European countries and stated that this gap should be bridged.

Richter stated that giving importance to education to develop digital capabilities, supporting the digitization of institutions, and the widespread use of digitization in public services are the most important factors of digital transformation.

Milica Visonic, who participated in the conference as a representative of the Council of Europe, stated that AI should be considered a “shared value” and stressed the importance of protecting the privacy of personal information in the era of digitization.

AA