On 8 July 2026, RACVIAC – Centre for Security Cooperation welcomed Mr. Melvin Cheah Chee Aun, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. and Counsellor of the Embassy of Malaysia to the Republic of Croatia, who visited the Centre accompanied by his associate, Mr. Jasmin Džaferović.
The meeting, attended by RACVIAC programme team, provided an opportunity to present the Centre’s mission, institutional development, and programme of activities, as well as its role in fostering dialogue, cooperation, and confidence-building in the field of security across South-Eastern Europe.
During the discussions, Mr. Cheah introduced the work of the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT), an institution operating under Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He noted the similarities between SEARCCT’s mandate and RACVIAC mission, highlighting the value of regional security cooperation and expressing interest in exploring opportunities for future collaboration between the two institutions.
Director of RACVIAC, Ambassador Miroslav Šćepanović, thanked Mr. Cheah for his visit and his interest in RACVIAC, emphasizing that such exchanges contribute to strengthening international partnerships and expanding dialogue beyond the region. He underlined the importance of enhancing cooperation between South-Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia in addressing shared and evolving security challenges through dialogue, mutual understanding, and the exchange of expertise and best practices. Ambassador observed that, while the ever-increasing mobility and connectivity are shrinking the realities of geographic distance, risks and threats in the trans-national context are proportionally widening, calling for an increased awareness and cooperation around regional cooperation best practices.
Mr. Cheah expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome and the opportunity to gain first-hand insight into RACVIAC activities and achievements. He commended the Centre’s longstanding contribution to regional stability and security and welcomed the prospect of strengthening contacts and developing future cooperation based on shared interests and common objectives.
