Regional parliamentary conference titled “Defense and Security Committees”, organized by the Centre for Security Cooperation “RACVIAC”, Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) from Geneva and Joint Committee on Defense and Security of Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ended today in Zagreb.

Montenegrin MPs, Mr. Obrad Mišo Stanišić and Mr. Vasilije Lalošević, as well as representatives of the Security Committee of Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Albania and Turkey, DCAF representatives – Ms. Teodora Fuior and Mr. David Law and other experts, visited the Parliament of Croatia, as it was envisaged by the program.

Following the introductory statement of Mr. Josip Leka, the Speaker of Croatian Parliament, and addressing of Mr. Branimir Mandić, director of “RACVIAC”, the participants were addresses by Mr. Miroslav Tuđman, Chairman of Domestic Policy and National Security Committee, Mr. Tomislav Ilić, Chairman of the Defense Committee as well as Mr. Boris Blaženković, head of the Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the NATO. The importance of regional cooperation was emphasized, especially in the field of parliamentary oversight role.  Subsequently, Ms. Jasna Dragičević, the OSCE representative from Bosnia and Herzegovina, had a presentation on topic: “OSCE Code of Conduct on politico-military aspects of security”. DCAF representative, Mr. David Law, also addressed the Meeting, and spoke on models of democratic control of security and defense sector. In addition, the participants of the Conference visited the Croatian Parliament, and they were welcomed by the Speaker of the Parliament in Plenary Hall, as well as by all present MPs, who were starting the plenary session in that moment.

Upon returning to the Center “RACVIAC” another session was held, when MP Mr. Obrad Mišo Stanišić had a significant exposure. He spoke on new challenges regarding democratic control of defense and security sector, especially stressing the financial control of the subjects – important in the moment of global crisis, as well as on capacities of committees and professional services to “cope with” all obligations arising from legislation regulating the parliamentary control. He mentioned collective security systems as possible long-term solution for regional stability. In the same time, he delegated Montenegro to be the next host of the regional conference of Defense and Security Committee.

At the end of the work, it was concluded that the Conference met its goal and contributed to further development of democratic control of the armed forces.