From 23 to 27 March 2026, Bosnia and Herzegovina hosted the “Agreement on Sub-Regional Arms Control (Dayton Article IV)” Orientation Course in Tuzla and Bijeljina.
The Course was organized by RACVIAC – Centre for Security Cooperation, with financial support from the Republic of Austria and the Republic of Croatia. It brought together 43 participants from Member states, Associate Members, Observers, Kingdom of Belgium, Repubic of Korea and OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This long-standing RACVIAC activity, conducted since 2001, is dedicated to strengthening capacities in the implementation of the Agreement on Sub-Regional Arms Control, pursuant to Annex I-B, Article IV of the Dayton Peace Accords. The 2026 edition was held in the year marking the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Agreement, a milestone widely recognized as a cornerstone of regional stability, confidence-building, and lasting peace.
The Course was officially opened by Colonel Kayhan Turhan, Programme Manager of RACVIAC Cooperative Security Environment (CSE) Pillar, on behalf of RACVIAC Director Ambassador Constantin-Mihail Grigorie. In his opening remarks, he highlighted the enduring importance of the Agreement as a model of successful arms control and regional cooperation, as well as RACVIAC long-standing role in supporting its implementation through education and training. Colonel Turhan emphasized the importance of dialogue, transparency, and mutual trust in maintaining peace and security. He also underlined the global relevance of arms control, noting that participation in the Course extended beyond the region to include representatives from countries such as Canada and the Republic of Korea. Furthermore, he expressed gratitude to the Republic of Austria and the Republic of Croatia for their financial support, to Bosnia and Herzegovina for hosting the Course, and to the verification centres of the Signatory States for their continuous and valuable support to RACVIAC activities.
Throughout the week, participants explored the historical development, implementation, and future perspectives of the Agreement from national and international viewpoints, including contributions from representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Croatia, Montenegro, Republic of Serbia, and the OSCE. The programme covered key elements such as annual information exchange, reduction protocols, inspection procedures, and verification mechanisms.
A strong practical component complemented the theoretical sessions. Participants engaged in syndicate work and hands-on preparation for inspections, followed by a demonstration inspection conducted by lecturers at the Dubrave Military Airbase near Tuzla. The Course culminated in a full-scale training inspection carried out by participants at the “Stepa Stepanović” military barracks in Bijeljina, allowing them to apply acquired knowledge in a realistic operational environment.
The event concluded with distribution of certificates. In his closing remarks, delivered on behalf of the RACVIAC Director, Colonel Turhan commended participants for their active engagement and underlined the importance of continued cooperation, knowledge-sharing, and commitment to arms control as key elements of regional and international security. He also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina for its strong support and excellent hosting, as well as to all lecturers and contributors for their valuable expertise.
