Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on respect for the EU’s democratic processes - Main contents

Some EU Member States have observed malicious cyber activities, collectively designated as Ghostwriter, and associated these with the Russian state. Such activities are unacceptable as they seek to threaten our integrity and security, democratic values and principles and the core functioning of our democracies.

These malicious cyber activities are targeting numerous members of Parliaments, government officials, politicians, and members of the press and civil society in the EU by accessing computer systems and personal accounts and stealing data. These activities are contrary to the norms of responsible State behaviour in cyberspace as endorsed by all UN Member States, and attempt to undermine our democratic institutions and processes, including by enabling disinformation and information manipulation.

The European Union and its Member States strongly denounce these malicious cyber activities, which all involved must put to an end immediately. We urge the Russian Federation to adhere to the norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace.

The European Union will revert to this issue in upcoming meetings and consider taking further steps.

The Candidate Countries the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania¹⁾ and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and Georgia align themselves with this declaration.

¹⁾The Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.