Together with Croatian Assistant Minister of Defence Policy, Jelena Grcic Polic, Special Co-ordinator Erhard Busek visited the Regional Arms Control Verification and Implementation Assistance Centre, (RACVIAC) near Zagreb.  Addressing one of the specific seminars on “Arms Control” for Southeast European members of parliament, ministry of defence officials, media and academics, Busek underlined that arms control and confidence building measures seek to reduce or eliminate mistrust and hostility amongst modern states, increase transparency and openness and motivate countries to commit themselves to far-reaching cooperation.  This in turn promotes stability and thus contributes to international security.  Busek painted a very positive picture of the achievements of the centre in its three years of existence, as it has made a significant contribution to arms control training and has fostered comprehensive security dialogue and expanded co-operation in Southeastern Europe.  Downsizing armies and placing them under democratic control can only be successful if the military personnel embrace a new vision of their place in society and on how they can credibly reduce real and perceived threats posed by any potential foe.  Therefore, confidence-building activities, as they are stimulated by RACVIAC, are a very direct contribution to stabilizing Southeast Europe.

It was made clear by Assistant Minister Jelena Grcic Polic that the new Croatian government would continue to fully support RACVIAC and its activities, which includes providing the facility where RACVIAC is based near Zagreb.  RACVIAC was established in2000 by Croatia and Germany with the aim of supporting the Stability Pact Security Working Table, mainly in the field of arms control and related security matters.  There are twenty nations involved in RACVIAC and military and civilian members from sixteen nations staff this multi-national body, unique to the region.  RACVIAC epitomises the expression “regional ownership” – it is located in the region, it includes personnel from all countries in the region and it exists specifically for the countries in the region.

The purpose of RACVIAC is to provide a forum to promote regular dialogue and to strengthen regional co-operation among the region’s states in all arms control, confidence and building security matters.  It is headed by Austrian Brigadier General Johann Pucher.