69. We are acutely aware that countries in the Black Sea Region and the Western Balkans are a target for Russian FIMI, including disinformation, aimed at undermining democratic progress and Euro-Atlantic integration. 70. Given the nature of the threat, the UK is investing to counter FIMI, including disinformation, in both these regions. For example, the UK is supporting civil society and independent media in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), to build resilience against disinformation and malign foreign influence and enable alternative narratives. We are working in partnership against FIMI through support to investigative media in BiH and Armenia to provide objective, factual information regarding foreign interference. 71. The UK provided the Moldovan government with significant support ahead of their elections last year, to help secure these against Russian interference. This included funding to support cyber resilience, increase media literacy and institutional resilience to hybrid threats, and to identify and counter information manipulation and interference that threatened to undermine Moldova’s democratic processes. We look forward to continuing our work with the new Moldovan Government in support of our shared priorities in this area under the UK-Moldova Defence and Security Partnership which includes specific joint actions to counter hybrid threats and FIMI. 72. As underscored throughout this response, this Government recognises that a truly independent media and vibrant civil society are crucial to a functioning democracy. We will continue to provide support to independent media organisations and civil society groups operating in countries in the Black Sea Region and the Western Balkans. In this vein, the UK, along with our international partners, are engaging on how to support the Armenian government to safeguard their upcoming elections and democratic resilience, including on how Armenia can protect themselves against anticipated Russian attempts at information manipulation or interference, in the forthcoming elections and democratic processes. Domestic Governance