On Monday, 20 October 2025, RACVIAC marked its 25thAnniversary, celebrating a quarter-century of fostering trust, dialogue, and partnership across South East Europe.
The day began with a meeting held upon the invitation of RACVIAC Director, Ambassador Constantin-Mihail Grigorie, bringing together former RACVIAC Directors, staff, and current management. During the meeting, the guests were presented with the Centre’s current status, Programme, activities, and ongoing projects. The return of those who led RACVIAC in its formative years made the occasion especially meaningful, highlighting the Centre’s remarkable journey from a verification and training facility to a fully-fledged regional forum capable of addressing a wide range of political, civilian, and military issues.
Throughout its long history, RACVIAC has been led by nine Directors whose commitment and leadership have shaped its legacy and strengthened its reputation as a trusted hub for regional security cooperation. On Monday RACVIAC had the honour of welcoming several of them once again: Colonel Nikola Nogolica, Brigadier General Sterios Papotis, Brigadier General Johann Pucher, Ambassador Nikola Todorčevski, and Major General Jeronim Bazo, whose contributions continue to inspire the Centre’s ongoing mission.
In the evening the celebrations continued with a commemorative event held at the Hotel Westin Zagreb, gathering distinguished guests and high representatives, including the Envoy of the President of the Republic of Croatia, General Ivica Olujić, Envoy of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, State Secretary Tomislav Galić, the Envoy of the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, State Secretary Frano Matušić, the Envoy of the Chief of the General Staff of Croatia, Brigadier General Ivan Raos, the Chairperson of the MAG, Ambassador Ardiana Hobdari, former Directors and Deputy Directors of RACVIAC, Ambassadors and Military Attachés of RACVIAC Members, Associate Members, and Observers, partners from international and regional organizations, MAG Representatives and RACVIAC staff.
The evening opened with a video presentation highlighting 25 years of RACVIAC achievements, followed by remarks from COL (ret.) Nikola Nogolica, the Centre’s first Director, H.E. Ambassador Ardiana Hobdari, Chairperson of the Multinational Advisory Group (MAG), and H.E. Ambassador Constantin-Mihail Grigorie, Director of RACVIAC. At the end, State Secretary Tomislav Galić, Envoy of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, took the floor.
In his address, COL (ret.) Nogolica expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to witness RACVIAC growth, recalling its modest beginnings in the old King Tomislav Barracks and later in Rakitje. He paid tribute to the dedication of the founding staff and early international and Croatian contributors whose vision and commitment laid the foundations of the Centre.
During her remarks, Ambassador Hobdari, Chairperson of the Multinational Advisory Group (MAG) highlighted that RACVIAC 25th Anniversary reflects a long-standing journey of partnership, trust, and regional cooperation. She noted that the Centre has grown from a Verification and Training Centre into a key hub addressing a wide range of security challenges, including cyber threats, counterterrorism, artificial intelligence, and the prevention of WMD proliferation.
She emphasized that the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East underline the importance of regional frameworks and RACVIAC role in fostering resilience and cooperation in South East Europe. Ambassador Hobdari also reaffirmed Albania’s long-term support and leadership within the Centre, citing the 2024 regional conference on cyber and hybrid threats as an example of effective collaboration.
Looking to the future, she called for strengthened dialogue and partnerships to ensure continued security, resilience, and prosperity in the region. She expressed gratitude to Ambassador Grigorie for his leadership and welcomed the incoming MAG Chairperson, Zoran Šajinović, Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, wishing him success in guiding the Centre through its next chapter.
In his address, Ambassador Grigorie, Director of RACVIAC emphasized that the Centre’s 25th Anniversary represents far more than the passage of time, it celebrates a living story built by people of vision, dedication, and friendship. He noted that RACVIAC history is a story of nations that have chosen dialogue over division, trust over suspicion, and cooperation over isolation.
Recalling that RACVIAC was established upon the initiative of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Croatia, under the umbrella of the Stability Pact, as a Centre of hope and trust dedicated to arms control and the sustainable development of South East Europe through confidence-building, bridge shaping, and support for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, Ambassador Grigorie reflected on the Centre’s evolution from its beginnings as a Verification and Training Centre noting that what began as a Centre with a focus on arms control and confidence-building has now grown to embrace a broader goal: advancing regional security in all its dimensions.
He emphasized that RACVIAC greatest strength has always been its people, expressing deep gratitude to the Republic of Croatia as the Host Country, as well as to all Members, Associate Members, Observers, and partners. Ambassador Grigorie also reaffirmed the Centre’s mission of dialogue, trust, and cooperation, acknowledged the continuous support of the Republic of Austria, Federal Republic of Germany, Hungary, and the United States of America, and highlighted the Centre’s strong partnerships with NATO, the United Nations, the European Union, the OSCE, and regional organizations such as SEDM, SEEBRIG, RCC, RAI, E-ARC, and numerous academic institutions across the region.
He called upon participants to pause and reflect on the fact that, at the heart of RACVIAC and all its achievements, are its people — those who bring the Centre’s vision to life through their dedication, professionalism, and love for their work.
Stressing that the world around us continues to change, Ambassador Grigorie pointed out that the ongoing war in Ukraine, caused by Russian aggression, and the conflicts that still unfold in other parts of the world, remind us every day that peace must never be taken for granted. He emphasized that this is why RACVIAC remains firmly committed to its mission and to its people.
Director Grigorie noted that it is looking ahead, shaping new initiatives in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, nuclear and radioactive material security, forensic science, critical infrastructure, and the prevention of WMD proliferation. He also stressed that these efforts reflect our determination to stay relevant, practical, and forward-looking because the best way to honor our past is to keep building our future.
Speaking at the ceremony the Envoy of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, State Secretary Tomislav Galić extended sincere congratulations to the Centre and all its partners on this important milestone.
He highlighted Republic of Croatia’s long-standing commitment as both host and founding nation, emphasizing that the country has been proud to support RACVIAC mission since its establishment. Special recognition was given to the Federal Republic of Germany for its role in transforming the original bilateral initiative into today’s respected regional organization.
Reflecting on RACVIAC evolution over the past quarter century, he noted the Centre’s growth from an arms control focused initiative to a dynamic platform addressing a broad spectrum of contemporary security issues, including counterterrorism, cybersecurity, crisis management, and disaster response.
The Envoy expressed gratitude to all RACVIAC staff, Members, Associate Members, Observers, and partners for their dedication, professionalism, and ongoing contribution to regional dialogue and cooperation.
He reaffirmed that Republic of Croatia will continue to strongly support RACVIAC work, stressing its enduring relevance in addressing today’s pressing security challenges and shaping the future of stability and cooperation in South East Europe.
In conclusion, State Secretary invited all present to celebrate not only the legacy of RACVIAC but also the enduring spirit of cooperation and friendship that defines its work, noting that its lasting success is rooted in the human connections and shared belief that together we can make our region and the world a better and safer place.
The celebration concluded with a Gala Dinner and a performance by the Croatian Armed Forces Jazz Orchestra, symbolizing unity, friendship, and the shared commitment of the region to a secure and peaceful future.
