RACVIAC, in partnership with the US Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, Office of International Nuclear Security, is launching a new multiyear initiative to enhance regional cooperation on the security of nuclear material and facilities in South East Europe through a series of workshops, conferences, exercises and roundtables that will focus on the development of a range of specific outcomes.

This kick-off event is divided into two sessions. The first is dedicated to the senior level officials and it will provide an opportunity for senior officials from South East European countries to discuss the strategic context of nuclear security and importance of development of national nuclear security strategies and plans with regard to current threats and challenges, while the second session will provide an opportunity for operational level stakeholders to share their national perspectives and information on needs and resources in the region.

The Opening remarks were given by RACVIAC Director MG (ret.) Jeronim Bazo and Ms Patricia O’Brien from the US Department of Energy.

MG (ret.) Bazo said: “The main goal of this multiyear project is to enhance regional cooperation on the security of nuclear material and facilities in South East Europe. We want to offer you a platform for regional dialogue and cooperation and at the same time help you develop or enhance your national nuclear security policies and guidelines”. Director Bazo also added: ”We are confident that with your full cooperation our region might offer the global nuclear security community one novel form of regional cooperation that can serve as a template for others around the world”.

Ms O’Brien emphasized: “We are here this week to listen and to work and understand and look forward to move forward under the regional cooperation initiative and we thank RACVIAC for providing the infrastructure and the ability to start this kind of discussion. We hope in the long term what we were able to start here in this regional cooperation format might be something that we can work on also in other regions in the world.“