8th RASR workshop held in Trogir, Croatia
The 8th RASR (Regional Approach to Stockpile Reduction) initiative workshop was held in Trogir, Croatia, on 21 and 22 May. This year's workshop was organized under the chairmanship of RACVIAC – Centre for Security Cooperation with the focus on the review of progress made in the area of Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM).
The Regional Approach to Stockpile Reduction (RASR) initiative is a long-term, coordinated, regional approach to address the threats posed by excess, unstable, loosely secured or otherwise at-risk stockpiles of conventional weapons and munitions in South East Europe. RASR's ultimate goal is to contribute to regional security by working to prevent disastrous explosions and destabilizing diversions of stockpiled conventional weapons and ammunition.
During the 8th RASR workshop progress and persisting PSSM challenges in the region was reviewed and the representatives of national governments of South East Europe presented their respective countries’ progress and discussed other issues related to weapons and ammunition stockpiles. International Ammunition Technical Guidelines and the threat posed by MANPADS and its reduction were also discussed, as well as a case study on a joint Albania/Montenegro ammo transport/demilitarization pilot project.
Participants also had the opportunity to visit the Croatian ammo depot in Trbounje, where equipment for control and testing of ammo and EOD equipment, and technical protection and video surveillance capabilities were presented.
The event also provided an opportunity to review the cooperation within RASR and achievements so far, as well as to exchange views on the future developments of the initiative.