Ambassador of the United Kingdom, H.E. Simon Thomas, visits RACVIAC

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Upon the invitation of RACVIAC Director, H.E. Ambassador Constantin-Mihail Grigorie, H.E. Simon Thomas, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Croatia, accompanied by Defence Attaché, LTC Andrew Higgs, visited RACVIAC – Centre for Security Cooperation on February 19, 2024.

After being warmly received on RACVIAC premises in Rakitje, British Ambassador to Croatia was introduced to the Centre’s activities and staff. Ambassador Thomas held a private meeting with Ambassador Grigorie, where he was briefed on RACVIAC history and its ongoing initiatives to enhance international security cooperation. The discussions also covered the presentation of the 2024 Programme, outlining efforts to promote regional stability and trust.

Since its establishment United Kingdom has had the status of an Associate Member in RACVIAC, occasionally participating in its activities. During the early phase of RACVIAC, UK seconded Ms Aji Buchannan to the Centre who worked in the position of MAG Secretary and Chief of PR. UK also sponsored a secondee from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (later Serbia and Montenegro). Until 2007 UK seconded staff in RACVIAC. UK contributed financially to the Programme part of the RACVIAC Budget with an amount of €382.500,00.

Expressing appreciation for the presentation on forthcoming RACVIAC activities, H.E. Ambassador Thomas conveyed his desire to enhance UK’s involvement in RACVIAC.

Ambassador Grigorie expressed gratitude for Ambassador Thomas’s visit and underscored the significance of collaborative endeavours between the UK and RACVIAC in advancing regional security and stability. He seized the opportunity to emphasize to Ambassador Thomas the crucial role of UK’s involvement in security dialogue and cooperation within South East Europe which could potentially encompass financial contributions to RACVIAC Budget, seconding personnel or the provision of experts for its initiatives.

Both Ambassador Thomas and Ambassador Grigorie agreed to sustain dialogue aimed at bolstering UK engagement with RACVIAC, aligned with the shared objectives of security and cooperation in South East Europe.

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