The two-day “Annual Meeting of the Representatives of Defence and Security Committees from SEE Parliaments” took place on 12-13 June 2024 in Sarajevo, BA. The Meeting was organized by RACVIAC – Centre for Security Cooperation in partnership with the Joint Committee on Defense and Security of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and DCAF – Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance. The event kicked off at the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The aim of this project was to continue supporting cooperation among the Defence and Security Committees from SEE Parliaments by providing the platform for interaction of parliamentarians, security and defence policy experts and state officials.
Welcome Addresses were given by Mr. Kemal Ademović, Speaker House of Peoples, BA PA, H.E. Ambassador Constantin-Mihail Grigorie, Director of RACVIAC and H.E. Ambassador Brian Aggeler, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Moderator was Mr. Jasmin Imamović, BA PA’s JCDS Chair.
Mr. Kemal Ademović in his Opening Remarks emphasized that this is the time when more than ever we need dialogue in the region, dialogue at the bilateral level. Mr Ademović said that it is not easy to come up with a solution that will be acceptable to everyone and also that there is no alternative to dialogue and conversations, and continued: ”This is how I perceive this Annual Meeting of Parliamentary Bodies, which is an opportunity for all of us to jointly analyze the current situation in the parliamentary supervision of the defense and security sector and through meetings and discussions to make a full contribution to parliamentary diplomacy”.
H.E. Ambassador Grigorie underlined the importance of this event saying that it represents a continuation of a series of Annual Meetings of the Representatives of Defence and Security Committees launched by RACVIAC in 2013, aimed at promotion of parliamentary oversight and sharing the experiences and practices of the regional parliamentary defence and security committees.
He expressed special gratitude to the host, the Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and its Joint Commission for Defence and Security. RACVIAC Director extended special gratitude to the Speaker of the House of Peoples, Mr Kemal Ademović and Chairperson of the Joint Commission for Defence and Security, Mr Jasmin Imamović, whose team did a great job in preparing this event.
Ambassador Grigorie also conveyed appreciation to RACVIAC partners, the OSCE Office to Bosnia and Herzegovina and DCAF – Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance for their outstanding support. In particular, he greeted the presenters, whose insightful knowledge will be crucial for the success of this event.
In addition, RACVIAC Director reflected on the current security situation in South East Europe which, he said, is characterized by complex developments – transition processes in the region, global geo-strategic shifts, spill-over effects of the crisis in the European neighbourhood, rapid development of new technologies and increase in armaments both globally and in the region. It is important to mention that all those processes are developing fast, often without effective control and transparency. This may lead to the deterioration of fragile and unpredictable security situation in SEE. Besides, the Russian aggression in Ukraine as well as the security situation in the Middle East are threatening European and global peace and stability, he said.
RACVIAC recognizes the seriousness of the security situation in SEE and undertakes all efforts to foster dialogue and cooperation among SEE countries to enhance capacities for a common response. In that regard, this Meeting provided a good opportunity for the Defence and Security Committees’ Members to exchange views on the current security challenges and discuss the parliamentary oversight activities in the context of the contemporary security paradigm, Ambassador Grigorie added.
RACVIAC Director also expressed the belief that discussions and outcomes of this event will enable parliamentarians to better influence, legislate, scrutinise and advocate for a national policy of democratic oversight within their respective countries and, therefore, generate positive developments in security sector institutions in South East Europe.
H.E. Ambassador Brian Aggeler stressed that the main theme of this year’s event is the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security, in recognition of the 30th anniversary of this key OSCE normative document for effective governance of defence and security, including parliamentary oversight. He underlined that only robust parliamentary oversight can ensure that the security and defense sectors are effective, accountable, transparent, and capable of upholding human right and the rule of law.
This year edition of the “Annual Meeting of the Representatives of Defence and Security Committees from SEE Parliaments”, designed as a series of speeches and presentations, spanned three panels, dubbed “Parliamentary Oversight of the Defence and Security Sector – Current Situation and Good Practices”, “Role of Parliamentary Diplomacy in Strengthening Security and Peace in SEE” and “OSCE Code of Conduct as a normative framework of parliamentary oversight over defence and security”. They were given by committee members and experts, high level speakers from international and national organizations and ministries, followed by discussions and expert consultations.
More than 50 participants attended this event, including lawmakers, members of the defense and security committees, their professional staff, and representatives of pertinent state agencies. The Meeting was a great chance to highlight the value of Parliamentary Diplomacy in promoting dialogue, peace and security.
