aims to enhance the cyber security capabilities, while introducing risk man­agement measures and setting up rules for cooperation and information sharing. The country has a long way to go in the implementation of the EU rules, but they provide a comprehensive framework on how the cyber secu­rity of the country should be built. The Republic of North Macedonia cooperates closely with NATO in the area of cyber security, form where it receives technical help and training for cyber defence. The country’s NATO membership in 2020 strengthened its resolve to the collective efforts of cyber security, mainly because NATO is prioritizing the cyber security as part of its defence strategy. Furthermore, the country has been building strong bilateral cooperation in the area with its partners. As an example, the country undersigned the United States – the Republic of North Macedonia Joint Declaration on 5G security in October 2020, emphasizing the need for a secure fifth generation wireless communications networks(5G), which will be vital to the national security. Challenges of the Soft Power Projections in the Republic of North Macedonia Another important aspect in building the national security culture in the Re­public of North Macedonia in contemporary times is linked to the projection of the cultural diplomacy, as part of the soft power approach of different actors in the country. Apart of the EU(and EU’s Member States) and USA traditional approach in promoting the culture throughout different educa­tional programs and scholarships, such as the Erasmus+ mobility program and the Fulbright program offered by the US Embassy, the influence of different other actors, such as Russia, China, Turkey, and the Gulf coun­tries in the Republic of North Macedonia had become increasingly incisive throughout soft power measures. Russia is at the top of the list of potentially danger­ous, destabilising, and malign external actors in the region. For over a decade, Russia’s policy goals in the Republic of North Macedonia have been to enhance its economic, political, and cultural presence, to counterbalance the Western powers as a source of influence, to contain NATO, and ultimately to derail the EU acces­sion prospects. Russia’s most important instruments of influence in the re­gion include energy policy, investment, political pressure, and“soft power” tools such as cultural, media, and religious campaigns(Panagiotou, 2021). Chapter 3 – Case Study: The Republic Of North Macedonia 147