RACVIAC – Centre for Security Cooperation inaugurated its annual “Arms Control Symposium” in Rakitje on 22 October 2024. Launched 16 years ago, this flagship event of Cooperative Security Environment Pillar continues to serve as a key regional platform for discussions on Arms Control, with participation of RACVIAC Members in South East Europe and beyond.
In his Welcome address H.E. Ambassador Constantin-Mihail Grigorie, Director of RACVIAC, expressed his pleasure with the high level of interest in this activity once again this year, highlighting the presence of all RACVIAC Members: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Türkiye. He also extended a warm welcome to participants from the United States, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands and Kosovo*, acknowledging their crucial role in fostering a cooperative security environment.
Ambassador Grigorie emphasized that the symposium would not have been possible without the financial support of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Croatia. He also expressed gratitude to the distinguished speakers from different ministries, organizations, and institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Serbia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and OSCE Vienna, who bring extensive knowledge and expertise to this event.
Nevertheless, he stressed the importance of keeping the spirit of arms control alive, in this critical period faced by arms control regimes, underscoring that it is a vital component for transparency, peace, and stability in the region. He affirmed RACVIAC continued commitment to this cause through various activities, including courses on the Vienna Document and Open Skies, as well as hosting the symposium as a platform for dialogue and knowledge-sharing.
The main goal of this year’s edition of the symposium is to facilitate discussion through five dedicated panels focusing on key topics:
– The main challenges in the implementation of Arms Control treaties
– Regional issues, current state of affairs
– Emerging military technologies and Artificial Intelligence
– Arms Control perspectives: obstacles and opportunities
– Small Arms and Light Weapons controls; international arms transfers.
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*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence. (In accordance with Arrangements regarding regional representation and cooperation).
