In the security sector, the RCC is engaged in identifying the remaining and emerging challenges and finding ways to address them through national effort, but also through cooperation at regional level, to make responses more effective.

Parliamentary dimension of the Security Sector Reform (SSR) is of specific importance to the RCC. Strengthening legislative scrutiny and the oversight function is needed in the field of the armed forces and security services, but the SSR agenda extends also into the remit of committees on foreign affairs, interior, justice, human rights, social and economic policy. There is a strong need for training of parliamentarians, committee staffers, and political party advisers in the ramified fields comprising the SSR.

Coordination with other international and bilateral actors and NGOs is vital, but still insufficient. Given its potential for a comprehensive regional approach to the SSR, the RCC aspires to take a leading role in the coordination process.

Several Initiatives and Task Forces are working successfully under the auspices of the RCC. The Regional Arms Control Verification and Implementation Assistance Centre (RACVIAC), the South East and East Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) and the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative (DPPI) have proven their effectiveness and have full support of regional countries. The RCC’s role is one of coordination and further enhancement of their activities for a better response to the region’s needs, and to bring synergy among all SEE initiatives and task forces. The ultimate aim is to achieve a full regional ownership.

Building on the achievements of the Stability Pact, the RCC supports and complements the objectives of the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP). Regional and international cooperation, and the ongoing integration processes are indispensable to address the challenges.

Development of a comprehensive South East Europe SSR strategy aims at specifying the functional division of needs for an easier address of donor community. It should help identify gaps in the range of existing activities and be used as a prompt for ‘stock-taking’ initiatives by the EU and NATO. RCC promotes local ownership and building of governments’ coordination capacities. It will act as a cross-sector SSR Task Force, in order to coordinate and fine-tune respective activities supplementing building of regional ownership in the security domain.

NATO has established itself as the lead actor in defence sector reform. The RCC/NATO coordination will be built and strengthened.

Enhanced EU and NATO support to confidence-building measures in the region, backed by sustained investment of resources, are essential for reinforcing the still fragile but quickly strengthening process of regional cooperation in the security sector.