RACVIAC – Centre for Security Cooperation participated in the 15th Review Conference of the Agreement on Sub-Regional Arms Control, Article IV, Annex 1-B of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, held in Vienna on 15–16 June 2026.
Since 2001 RACVIAC has played an important role in supporting the implementation of Article IV by preparing designated personnel from the region to perform their duties as inspectors and escorts. During this period RACVIAC has organized 30 Dayton Article IV Courses and trained approximately 650 inspectors, significantly contributing to the transparency, trust, and stability that have characterized the implementation of the Agreement over the past three decades.
In recognition of this long-standing contribution, RACVIAC was awarded a commemorative plaque during the solemn ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Agreement on Sub-Regional Arms Control. The ceremony, held at Vienna’s historic Hofburg Palace, honoured institutions and individuals whose commitment has helped ensure the Agreement’s continued success and relevance. During the ceremony representatives of all signatory countries took the opportunity to commend RACVIAC for its invaluable contribution to the implementation of Article IV over the past twenty-five years.
Particular praise was expressed for the Centre’s sustained delivery of the Dayton Article IV Course and its efforts in educating and training new generations of inspectors and instructors, thereby ensuring the continuity, professionalism, and effectiveness of the Agreement’s verification regime.
The Review Conference brought together representatives of the Agreement’s signatories, high representatives from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) as well as representatives from the OSCE Contact group countries with a purpose to assess the implementation of one of the most successful confidence- and security-building mechanisms established in the aftermath of the Dayton Peace Agreement.
The RACVIAC delegation was led by Director, Ambassador Miroslav Šćepanović, and included Deputy Director Rear Admiral Predrag Stipanović, MAG Secretary, Ms Glorija Ivković and Ms Vedrana Djukarić, Activity Coordinator in Cooperative Security Environment Pillar.
Following the Conference, RACVIAC Director, Ambassador Miroslav Šćepanović, held a meeting with Ambassador Florian Korczak, Director for Security Policy and Deputy Political Director at the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs.
The meeting was an opportunity to reaffirm the strong partnership between RACVIAC and one of its most active Associate Members. Ambassador Šćepanović expressed his appreciation for the Republic of Austria’s long-standing and active support, emphasizing that, in its long-standing and outstanding partnership with RACVIAC – Centre for Security Cooperation, Austria has consistently and unmistakably recognized causes for engagement and re-engagement.
The meeting provided an opportunity to assess the current level of mutual engagement, review the achievements of the partnership to date, and exchange views on possible avenues and topics for future Austrian support to RACVIAC mission of fostering regional security cooperation, trust and confidence through capacity building and strengthened institutional collaboration in South East Europe.
Ambassador Korczak reflected on Austria’s contribution to RACVIAC to date and highlighted opportunities for strengthening cooperation in the future. Both sides underscored the continuing importance of RACVIAC role in promoting dialogue, confidence-building, and security cooperation, particularly in the context of the evolving global security environment. They also emphasized the value of participation beyond South East Europe, recognizing that many of the contemporary security challenges addressed through RACVIAC Pillars have become increasingly global in nature.
Director Šćepanović reiterated RACVIAC commitment to keeping Austrian institutions and organizations as its key and trusted partners in advancing regional and European security cooperation and expressed confidence that the partnership would continue to grow in the years ahead.
The recognition given to RACVIAC at the Hofburg Palace and the high-level discussions at the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs stand as powerful reminders that sustainable security can only be achieved through cooperation. RACVIAC remains deeply grateful for Austria’s steadfast support and welcomes its growing role in the Centre’s activities, as, together, they continue to strengthen the foundations of peace, stability, and security across Europe and beyond.
