MAG POCs (Multinational Advisory Group Point of Contacts) Meeting was held on 28 May 2024 on RACVIAC premises via the Video Tele Conference System (online) and gathered experts from the representatives of Members, Associate Members, Observers, and partners working in an open-minded atmosphere on the programming of the Centre’s activities.
RACVIAC develops the Annual Programming Document in close cooperation with the MAGs and partners through a consultation process. This RACVIAC Programming Document sets out the priority activities for SEE 2025 identified during the annual programming cycle.
Opening the Meeting RACVIAC Director, H.E. Ambassador Constantin-Mihail Grigorie, welcomed the representatives of Members, Associate Members, Observers and partners and outlined the purpose of the Meeting which is to discuss and refine the proposed activities for the upcoming year. This meeting is crucial for sharing of opinions, experiences, and coordinating the details related to RACVIAC Questionnaire before its approval during the upcoming MAG Autumn Meeting.
Ambassador Grigorie emphasized that RACVIAC is entering the most critical phase of drafting the plans which will define steps to achieve the main goals identified in the RACVIAC Strategy. MAG POCs’ commitment and willingness to support and contribute actively to the RACVIAC Programme are greatly appreciated, he pointed out.
Furthermore, RACVIAC Director highlighted the importance of evaluating the proposed Programme and ensuring coordination and cooperation in the planning process for 2024-2025 with the MAGs and national authorities. He called on the full engagement and precise consultations with authorities which are essential for the success of this process.
Ambassador Grigorie underlined that RACVIAC – Centre for Security Cooperation continuously adapts its Programme to reflect the most critical topics in different security domains, supporting SEE countries in developing flexibility and capacity to respond to pressing security needs and geopolitical challenges. This strengthens trust, collaboration, and a safer environment, accelerating Euro-Atlantic integration processes, he added.
In that regard, he highlighted the main Programme points for each RACVIAC Pillar. CSE Pillar’s main areas of interest include the Agreement on Sub-Regional Arms Control – Dayton Article IV, the Vienna Document 2011, CBRN challenges, the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), the Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention, and PSSM.
Concerning the C-WMD Network, Ambassador reffered to the fact that in partnership with the US Department of Energy (DoE) RACVIAC is conducting the “Regional Nuclear Security Cooperation Initiative”. RACVIAC will also organize Regional Workshops on Nuclear Security Detection Architecture together with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) thus emphasizing its cooperation with American partners like DoE, Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), and US EUCOM.
Speaking about CTST Pillar, RACVIAC Director announced the second RACVIAC flagship event in spring 2025, “Conference on Resilience and Protection of Critical Infrastructure”, in partnership with Zagreb University, Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF Global) and the Euro-Atlantic Resilience Center from Bucharest. Additionally, the plan is to support RACVIAC Members in combating terrorism, organized crime, cyber security, and other security-related areas. Energy Security will also be a key focus.
Furthermore, RACVIAC activities in SSG Pillar will continue to promote principles of a democratic and accountable security sector, covering areas such as Democratic Oversight, Civilian Crisis Management, Human Rights/Gender Perspective, Strategic Communication, Border Security and Management, and Fighting Corruption.
Additionally, he thanked for the invaluable contributions of MAG POCs during the first phase of drafting the Questionnaire 2025-2026 and said that their needs and interests are at the core of RACVIAC Programme development, and wished everyone a productive meeting.
The Meeting continued with a presentation by the Planning and Liaison Officer for South East Europe who provided useful information related to RACVIAC annual Programming process in the development of RACVIAC curriculum. In continuation, the Programme Managers provided information on the draft Programme 2025 as well as some additional proposals and remarks received via the Questionnaire regarding specific requests and aspects of participation by RACVIAC respective Members, Associate Members, Observers, and partners.
After the presentations, a lively discussion started that included questions and constructive suggestions among the participants of the POCs meeting.
The representative of Defence Threat Reduction Agency, Mr William Sosnowski, expressed satisfaction regarding very good cooperation with RACVIAC – Centre for Security Cooperation and addressed the audience with a proposal for education and training in C-WMD areas.
Draft Annual Programme 2025 will go through a process of consultation with the MAG and partners and will be approved during the “Autumn MAG Meeting” in October 2024 and should reflect RACVIAC strategic objectives 2021-2026, Programme guidelines 2021-2026, and answer the needs of the region.
In addition, certain details regarding Programme support from DTRA were clarified during the Meeting, resulting in a more precise and concrete draft Programme 2025-2026 that will be presented for approval at the MAG Meeting in October 2024.
