RACVIAC - Centre for Security Cooperation is a international, independent, non-profit, regionally owned, academic organization, accountable to its political decision making body, the Multinational Advisory Group (MAG).
The MAG, as the steering committee to RACVIAC, is composed of the representatives from Core Countries, Associate Countries and Observers. The MAG provides direction to ensure the operation and development of the RACVIAC, in accordance with the guidelines, principles and decisions adopted. These Terms of Reference (TOR) specify the composition, tasks, responsibilities and procedures of the MAG and its financing.
There are currently thirty nations involved in RACVIAC and divided into:
Core members - all countries of SEECP - Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, Greece, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and Turkey
Associate members - all other countries wishing to support and contribute to security dialogue and cooperation in SEE - Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom.
Observers - other countries, institutions or organizations, which may participate in RACVIAC activities as Observers after approval by the MAG - Canada, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine and USA.
Besides them Belgium, Ireland, Latvia and Switzerland have expressed their interest in RACVIAC’s work. Military and civilian members from 14 of the above nations staff this multinational body. In these nine years RACVIAC hosted over 6500 participants from all over Europe and broader, on more then 200 activities. RACVIAC epitomizes the expression "Regional ownership" – it is located in the region, the staff members include personnel from all countries in the region, and it specifically assists the countries of the region.
RACVIAC - Centre for Security Cooperation is a diplomatic, international, independent, non-profit, regionally owned, academic organization, accountable to its political decision making body, the Multinational Advisory Group (MAG). The MAG, as the steering committee to RACVIAC, is composed of representatives from Core Countries, Associate Countries and Observers. The MAG provides direction to ensure the operation and development of the RACVIAC, in accordance with the guidelines, principles and decisions adopted. These Terms of Reference (TOR) specify the composition, tasks, responsibilities and procedures of the MAG and its financing.
The Chairperson of the MAG is elected by the MAG members for a period of a year, and at the moment Mr Draško JOVANOVIĆ from Montenegro is acting as the MAG Chairperson. The decisions of the MAG are taken by consensus of the members present.
The MAG will meet up to 2 times a year. The last, 22nd MAG meeting took place in Zagreb, Croatia, from 5th to 6th October 2009. Next 23rd MAG Meeting will take place in Spring 2010 in Republic of Montenegro.
RACVIAC materializes the principle of "Regional ownership"
The current legal basis of RACVIAC is still the bilateral Agreement originally signed by Croatia and Germany, later on acceded to by Italy and Turkey. MAG decided in spring 2008 to establish a Working Group on RACVIAC Legal Status to be led by the host nation - Croatia, and composed of experts from, at least, the signatories of the existing basic Agreement. All MAG nations are encouraged to nominate representatives to the Working Group as well as to offer their suggestions regarding its work within the next four weeks. The Working Group presented its achievements at the 21st MAG Meeting.
Furthermore, MAG decided to establish a Working Group on RACVIAC New Organization to be chaired by Turkey, and composed of all countries willing to participate in the group. All MAG nations are encouraged to nominate representatives to the Working Group on RACVIAC New Organization as well as to offer their suggestions regarding its work within the next four weeks. The Working Group presented its achievements at the 21st MAG Meeting.
* Turkey recognizes the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.
Left:
The 20th MAG Meeting held in Zagreb, Croatia, on 30th October 2008
Right:
Director of RACVIAC, H.E. Ambassador Nedžad Hadžimusić (Bosnia and Herzegovina) (center) and MAG Chairperson, Pjer Šimunović (Croatia) (left)
Left:
Chairperson of MAG is elected for the period of one year, while Director of RACVIAC is elected for period of two to three years. Former MAG Chairperson Brig Gen Ion Coropcean and Ambassador Nedžad Hadžimusić.
Right:
MAG is composed of representatives of the Core countries, the Associate countries and the Observers, and it holds meetings twice a year.