Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - October 03, 2024

Storyline:
The former president of the European Commission has warned of a worrying increase in cybercrime amid rising geopolitical tensions, emphasizing the importance of global cybersecurity cooperation.

Jose Manuel Barroso made the remarks in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) at the just-concluded two-day Global Cybersecurity Forum, held Thursday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where global experts and industry professionals have gathered to advance collective action in cyberspace and the realms beyond.

Barroso steered the EU through turbulent times during his decade of leadership, from the global financial crisis to the emergence of new geopolitical challenges. At the forum, he provided his seasoned insight on cybersecurity in the increasingly complex international landscape.

The former EU leader encouraged countries around the world to take a realistic view of the challenges at hand while still embracing constructive partnerships.

Shotlist:
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Oct 2-3, 2024:
1. Jose Manuel Barroso, former president of European Commission, being interviewed;
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Jose Manuel Barroso, former president, European Commission (partially overlaid with shot 3):
"The reality is that cybercrime is increasing. Not only is cybercrime increasing because of the development of the new tools, including technological tools, but also, to be honest, the geopolitical situation nowadays is more fragmented, more polarized than it was, let's say one, two or more years ago."
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
FILE: Beijing, China - Date Unknown:
3. Various of cables; screen showing codes;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
FILE: Tianjin Municipality, north China - September 2022:
4. Laptop screen;
5. Lights on computer server;
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Oct 2-3, 2024:
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Jose Manuel Barroso, former president, European Commission (starting with shot 5/partially overlaid with shot 7):
"Competition is unavoidable, cooperation is indispensable. If we want to be intellectually honest, we have to accept that competition between countries, let's be honest, between the United States and China, it's going to increase. I don't believe it's going down. At the same time, it's better to talk than to fight. When it comes to some areas, we have to recognize them as global public goods and not just national interests -- global public goods, for instance, fighting climate change. Cybersecurity, I'm afraid that it's so much linked with national security matters that it's going to be more difficult to cooperate. But we should nevertheless make an effort to keep a dialogue even when we disagree."
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
FILE: Tianjin Municipality, north China - September 2022:
7. Various of cables;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
8. Various of computer screen; lights on computer server; cables.

[Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]