Education OSCE. What does obse mean? Military-political sphere of activity of the OSCE
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is the world's largest security-oriented intergovernmental organization. Its mandate includes issues such as arms control and respect for human rights, press freedom and fair elections. The organization has 550 employees at its headquarters in Vienna, Austria, and 2,300 employees in the field. The OSCE was founded by the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), held in Helsinki, Finland, in 1975.
The OSCE is involved in early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict reconstruction of countries. The 57 OSCE participating countries are located in Europe, Asia and North America and cover most of the land surface of the Northern Hemisphere. The organization was created during the Cold War era as an East-West forum.
The six official languages of the OSCE are English, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Russian. The OSCE considers itself a regional organization within the meaning of Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter and is an observer in the UN General Assembly. The OSCE Chairman-in-Office participates in routine briefings to the United Nations Security Council.
History and legal status of OBS
The history of the organization began in 1973 within the framework of the Conferences on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE). Negotiations for a European Security Group had been ongoing since 1950, but the Cold War prevented progress until the Dipoli negotiations began in Helsinki in November 1972.
These negotiations were held at the suggestion of the Soviet Union, which wanted to use the negotiations to maintain its control over the communist countries of Eastern Europe, and Finnish President Urho Kekkonen perceived them as a means of maintaining his policy of neutrality. Western Europe, however, saw these negotiations as a way to reduce tensions in the region, promote economic cooperation and improve the humanitarian situation for the population of the communist bloc.
The recommendations for negotiations, in the form of "The Blue Book", created the practical basis for a three-stage conference called the "Helsinki Process". The CSCE was opened in Helsinki on July 3, 1973, and was attended by representatives of 35 states. The first stage of negotiations lasted five days and during it it was decided to follow the recommendations of the Blue Book. The second stage of negotiations became the main working phase and was held in Geneva from September 18, 1973 to July 21, 1975. The result of Phase II was the Helsinki Final Act, which was signed by 35 participating states during Phase III, which was held at Finlandia Hall from July 30 to August 1, 1975. The third stage of negotiations was opened by Holy See diplomat Cardinal Agostino Casaroli, who chaired the conference.
The concept for improving relations and implementing the act was developed during a series of subsequent meetings, including negotiations in Belgrade (4 October 1977 - 8 March 1978), Madrid (11 November 1980 - 9 September 1983) and Vienna (4 November 1986 - 19 January 1989) .
A unique feature of the OSCE is the non-binding status of its founding charter. Instead of a treaty formally ratified by national legislatures, the CSCE Final Act represents a political agreement by the heads of government of all countries to build security and cooperation in Europe based on the provisions of this Act. This allows the OSCE to remain flexible in the process of evolving and improving cooperation, avoiding disputes and/or sanctions for non-compliance.
By agreeing to these obligations, signatory countries recognized for the first time that the treatment of citizens within their borders was a matter of legitimate international concern. This began the process of building democracy in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, leading to the end of the Cold War. However, unlike most international intergovernmental organizations, the OSCE is deprived of the status of a subject of international law due to the lack of legal force of its charter. As a result, the owner of the OSCE headquarters, Austria, had to give the organization the rights of a subject in order to be able to sign a legal agreement about its presence in Vienna.
The collapse of the Soviet Union required a change in the role of the CSCE. The Charter of Paris for a New Europe, signed on November 21, 1990, marked the beginning of this change. The changes led to the renaming of the CSCE to OSCE on 1 January 1995, following a conference held in Budapest, Hungary in 1994. The OSCE structure began to include a separate secretariat, a Permanent Council, an OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, a Conflict Prevention Center and an Office for Free Elections (later renamed the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights).
In December 1996, the Lisbon Declaration “On a model of common and comprehensive security for Europe in the 21st century” confirmed the universal and indivisible nature of security on the European continent.
The result of the two-day OSCE summit in Istanbul on November 18-19, 1999 was a call for a political settlement of the conflict in Chechnya and the adoption of a Charter for European Security. According to then-Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, the summit marked a turning point in Russian perceptions of the OSCE, from an organization that expressed the collective will of Europe to one that served as the West's tool for "forced democratization."
In 2004, following a petition by a group of thirteen Democratic US senators to invite foreign observers to monitor the country's presidential elections, the US State Department agreed, and President George W. Bush invited the OSCE to participate in the process.
Member States of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
OSCE participating countries (57 states): Albania, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Monaco, Norway, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, USA, Andorra, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Denmark, France, Greece, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Malta, Montenegro, Poland, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Georgia, Papal See, Ireland, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Moldova, Mongolia, the Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Switzerland, Turkey, Great Britain.
Structure and institutions of the OSCE
The political leadership of the organization is carried out by heads of state and government during summit meetings. Summits are not regular or scheduled, but are held as needed. The last summit took place in Astana (Kazakhstan) on December 1 and 2, 2010. Decision-making at the highest level is carried out by the Council of Ministers, which meets at the end of each year. At ambassadorial level, the Permanent Council meets weekly in Vienna and acts as the body for regular negotiations and decision-making. The post of Chairman-in-Office is assigned to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the member state presiding over the organization. The Chairman of the Permanent Council is the Ambassador to Austria of the member state presiding over the organization. From 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012 The current Chairman is the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland, Eamon Gilmore, who succeeded the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Audronius Azubalis.
In addition to the Ministerial Council and the Permanent Council, the OSCE's decision-making body is also the Forum for Security Co-operation. The Forum deals primarily with issues of military cooperation, such as the conditions and methods of verification in accordance with the Vienna Document 1999.
The OSCE Secretariat is located in Vienna, Austria. The current Secretary General is Lamberto Zannier from Italy, who took over the post from Marc Perrin de Brichambaut from France. In addition, the organization has offices in Copenhagen, Geneva, The Hague, Prague and Warsaw.
About 440 people work in various OSCE institutions. In total, the organization has about 750 international and 2,370 national employees.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe makes decisions on issues such as politics and security, economics and environmental protection, as well as democracy and human rights. Representing the collective opinion of OSCE parliamentarians, these resolutions and recommendations are intended to ensure that all participating States comply with their OSCE commitments. The Parliamentary Assembly also engages in parliamentary diplomacy and has an extensive election observation program.
The OSCE's oldest institution is the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), which was created in 1991 following a decision taken at the 1990 Paris summit. The Office is based in Warsaw, Poland, and is actively involved throughout the OSCE region on issues of election observation, democratic development, human rights, tolerance and non-discrimination, the rule of law, Roma and Sinti. The ODIHR has observed more than 150 elections and referendums since 1995 with the help of 35,000 observers. Twice the Office worked beyond its mandate, sending a team that offered technical support for the 9 October 2004 presidential elections in OSCE Partner for Co-operation Afghanistan, and an election support team to assist in the parliamentary and provincial council elections of 18 September 2005.
The Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, established in December 1997, acts as a watchdog to provide early warning of violations of freedom of expression in OSCE participating States. The Representative also assists participating States in promoting and encouraging full compliance with OSCE norms, principles and commitments relating to freedom of expression and freedom of the media.
Chairmanship of the OSCE
The responsibilities of the Chairman-in-Office (COO) include coordinating the work of the OSCE institutions; representative functions in the Organization; monitoring activities related to conflict prevention, crisis resolution and post-conflict reconstruction.
The presidency is transferred once a year, and the post in the office of the chairman is held by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the state party currently presiding. The DP assists the previous and next colleagues in transferring cases; they together make up a trio. The origins of the institution lie in the Charter of Paris for a New Europe (1990), and the Helsinki Document of 1992 formalized this function.
In 2012, the Troika consisted of the current DP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland, Eamon Gilmore, the former DP, Foreign Minister of Lithuania Audronius Azubalis, and the next DP, Foreign Minister of Ukraine Konstantin Grishchenko.
Military-political sphere of activity of the OSCE
The OSCE takes a comprehensive approach to security in the military-political sphere, which includes a number of obligations of participating states and mechanisms for preventing and resolving conflicts. The organization also strives to improve military security by promoting greater openness, transparency and cooperation.
Arms control. The end of the Cold War led to a huge surplus of available weapons, giving rise to an international gray market for weapons. The OSCE helps stop the - often illegal - proliferation of such weapons and offers assistance in their destruction. The OSCE conducts an annual exchange of information within the framework of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. The OSCE has also implemented two additional ways of exchanging information under the Vienna Document and the Global Exchange of Military Information. The Open Skies Consultative Commission, the executive body of the Open Skies Treaty, meets monthly at its headquarters in Vienna.
Boundary management. Actions taken by the OSCE in the framework of border monitoring for conflict prevention and post-conflict resolution, capacity building and institutional support.
Fight against terrorism. With expertise in conflict prevention, crisis management and early warning, the OSCE contributes to global efforts to combat terrorism.
Conflict prevention. The OSCE works to prevent the outbreak of conflicts and promotes political resolution of existing conflicts. It also helps carry out the rehabilitation process in post-conflict areas. Military reform. The OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation provides a framework for political dialogue on defense reform, and practical activities are carried out on the ground, including by the Center for Conflict Prevention.
Police operations. Police operations within the OSCE are an integral part of the organization's conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction efforts.
Economic and environmental sphere of activity of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
Activities in the field of economics and ecology include monitoring developments related to economic and environmental security in OSCE participating states with the aim of preventing any threat of conflict, assisting states in creating economic and environmental policies, legislation and institutions to promote security in the OSCE region. Economic activity. Among the economic activities of the OSCE, one can highlight actions related to migration management, transport and energy security. Activities are mainly carried out in cooperation with partner organizations.
Environmental activities. The OSCE has developed a number of activities in the field of environmental protection aimed at solving problems of environmental safety in its participating states. Activities include projects in the areas of hazardous waste management, water management and access to information under the Aarhus Convention.
OSCE activities in the field of human rights
The commitments made by OSCE participating States in the field of human rights are aimed at ensuring full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; respect for the rule of law; Implementing the principles of democracy by building, strengthening and protecting democratic institutions, and promoting tolerance throughout the OSCE region.
Combating human trafficking. Since 2003, the OSCE has had an established mechanism to combat trafficking in persons, which is defined in Article 3 of the Palermo Protocol and aims to attract public attention to this problem and create political will in participating States to effectively combat this phenomenon.
OSCE action against trafficking in persons is coordinated by the Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Persons.
Activities to combat trafficking in persons in the OSCE region of the Office of the Special Representative include:
- Cooperation with the governments of participating states, helping them to assume responsibilities and take action to curb trafficking in persons;
- Providing solutions and tools for governments to make decisions and proposals to guide management in the fight against trafficking in persons, with the aim of achieving solutions tailored to the needs of individual countries and in accordance with international standards;
- Helping governments develop national anti-trafficking structures necessary for effective domestic and transnational cooperation;
- Raising awareness of the problem and helping to understand the complexity of the problem and the need for comprehensive solutions;
- Attention to all aspects of human trafficking, namely trafficking for sexual exploitation, trafficking for forced and bonded labor, including domestic service, trafficking for forced marriages, trafficking in human organs and trafficking in children;
- Ensuring the effective collaboration of all agents and organizations involved in the fight against trafficking in persons, ranging from government agencies, law enforcement officials and international organizations, as institutions providing support for deeper knowledge and know-how;
- Ensuring that the OSCE's fight against human trafficking is covered as much as possible to focus people's attention on the issue.
Democratization. The OSCE promotes democracy and assists participating States in building democratic institutions. In practice, however, some states have more decision-making power than others.
Education. Education programs are an integral part of the organization's conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction efforts.
Elections. As part of its democratization activities, the OSCE carries out election assistance projects in the run-up to, during and after elections. However, the effectiveness of such assistance is controversial. Kazakhstan, for example, despite its membership and even chairmanship in the OSCE, is considered by many to be one of the least democratic countries in the world. Moreover, recent democratic advances in other Central Asian republics, particularly Kyrgyzstan, have led to rumors of Soviet-style abuses of the Kyrgyz democratic process by Kazakhstan and Russia. This may be largely due to concerns about the long-term stability of these countries' own quasi-dictatorships.
Gender equality. Gender equality is an integral part of a sustainable democracy. The OSCE is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for men and women and integrating gender equality in policy and practice.
Human rights. The OSCE's activities in the field of human rights focus on such priority areas as freedom of movement and religion, the prevention of torture and human trafficking.
National and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The OSCE can provide consultative status to NGOs and INGOs through the Researcher in Residence Program (run by the Prague Office of the OSCE Secretariat): accredited representatives of national and international non-governmental organizations have access to all documents and numerous up-to-date collections related to OSCE field activities.
Freedom of the media. The OSCE monitors the media in its participating States to make decisions and provide early warning of violations of freedom of expression.
Minority rights. Ethnic conflict is one of the main sources of large-scale violence in Europe today. The OSCE's approach is to identify and seek early resolution of ethnic tensions and set standards for the rights of people belonging to minority groups.
The OSCE is one of the most complex international legal structures. It transformed into an international organization from an international conference - the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), first convened in 1975 (Helsinki). The reasons for the convening were the critical state of the “arms race”, the real danger of a nuclear war, the need to begin the process of détente. The purpose of the convocation is to form a common system of collective security in Europe. Subregional nature - 33 European countries, USA and Canada. The Final Act of the 1975 Helsinki Conference is one of the most important sources of general international law, the codification of its cogent principles.
The Helsinki Conference is the first attempt to create a common European security system. The participating states have developed elements of this system:
- – agreed measures (disarmament, confidence-building measures, peaceful resolution of disputes);
- – principles that participating states are obliged to follow (non-use of force, peaceful resolution of disputes, inviolability of borders);
- – cooperation to strengthen peace and security (developing contacts between citizens of different states, family reunification, encouraging marriages between foreigners).
The CSCE went through several stages in its evolution to the OSCE, at each of which the scope of its competence expanded and the structure was improved. Meetings at different levels within the CSCE: Belgrade (1978), Mongra (1978), Madrid (1980-1983), Athens (1984), Stockholm (1984-1986), Vienna (1986- 1989), Copenhagen (1990), Paris (1990), Madrid (1991), Moscow (1991), La Valletta (1991), Helsinki (1992), Vienna (1992), Geneva (1992),
Stockholm (1992), Prague (1992), Rome (1993), Moscow (1993), Budapest (1994). Three meetings of the Conference on the Human Dimension of the CSCE were also held within the framework of the CSCE (1990, 1991 and 1992).
The most important meetings:
Paris 1990 The Charter for a New Europe was signed (proclaiming the end of the Cold War), the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) was concluded, and the 1989 Vienna Document on Confidence and Security Building Measures in Europe was approved. The Charter of Paris enshrines the right to equal security for all and freedom for states to choose how to ensure their security. A three-stage mechanism of political consultations and negotiations was formed - a summit meeting, the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs (CMFA) and the Committee of Senior Officials (CSAO) were created.
Moscow 1991 Moscow third final meeting of the Conference on the Human Dimension of the CSCE (the first was held in 1989 in Paris, the second in 1990 in Copenhagen). A document was adopted stating that issues relating to human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law are of an international nature, and commitments in the field of the human dimension are not exclusively the internal affairs of CSCE member states.
Helsinki 1992 The leaders of the states stated that they consider the CSCE as a regional agreement within the meaning of Chapter. VIII of the UN Charter, i.e. as a regional collective security organization. The CSCE received the right to take measures in the field of preventing and resolving local conflicts, and to conduct peacekeeping operations under the auspices of the UN, subject to the consent of the conflicting parties. In 1993, such powers of the CSCE were recognized by the GA, and the Conference received permanent observer status at the UN. The 1992 Declaration of Helsinki, “The Challenge of Change,” is a development of the 1990 Charter of Paris.
Stockholm 1992 The post of CSCE Secretary General was established; commencement of the work of the Vienna SAO Group. Adoption of the Stockholm Convention on Conciliation and Arbitration (two-stage dispute resolution mechanism - Conciliation Commission and Arbitration Tribunal); creation of the CSCE Reconciliation Commission; adoption of the Regulation on Directive Reconciliation.
Rome 1993 Structural strengthening of the CSCE: creation of the CSCE Permanent Committee - an institution of permanent representatives of the participating states. The Declaration on Aggressive Nationalism, the Source of Contemporary Conflicts, was adopted.
Budapest 1994 The decision to rename the CSCE from January 1, 1995 to the OSCE. The legal basis for the transformation of the international conference into an international organization is the package of Budapest documents of 1992 - the Political Declaration "Towards a Genuine Partnership in a New Era" and a set of decisions ("Strengthening the CSCE", "Code of Conduct Concerning Military-Political Aspects of Security", " Human Dimension", "Economic Dimension"). The term “regional organization” is not used in official documents, but states have undertaken to cooperate within the meaning of Chapter. VIII of the UN Charter.
Since 1995, the OSCE began functioning as an international international organization. Feature of the OSCE: the absence of a single constituent document - a charter. Its role is played by a set of documents from the Paris (1990), Helsinki (1992), Stockholm (1992), Budapest (1994) meetings. Goals of the OSCE: ensuring peace and security in Europe; relaxation of international tension; respect for human rights; compliance with the principles of international law in interstate relations.
Supreme body – meeting of heads of state and government of the OSCE. Defines the political goals of the OSCE. Central governing body – Council of Ministers(ministers of foreign affairs). Makes operational decisions; appoints a country whose representative will serve during the year Current Chairman OSCE. Within the Council there is a unique formation (“Troika”) – the current chairman, the previous chairman, the future chairman. Governing Council(replaced the CSDL) is responsible for organizing the activities of the OSCE, considers crisis situations, and makes decisions on conducting PKOs. Standing Council– the main body for political consultations, responsible for operational work, considers emergency situations. OSCE Secretariat consists of two departments: the Center for Conflict Prevention and the Department of Administrative and Operational Affairs. At the head of the Secretariat - Secretary General: is the personal representative of the Chairman-in-Office and coordinates the activities of OSCE bodies.
Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights controls the formation of national democratic institutions, the protection and respect of human rights, and the conduct of elections in OSCE member states (sending observers, providing expert assistance). High Commissioner on National Minorities is responsible for identifying pockets of ethnic tension and promoting their resolution. Freedom of the Media Bureau ensures the implementation of OSCE recommendations on the activities of free, independent and pluralistic media. Parliamentary Assembly consists of parliamentarians from OSCE member countries; operates through a Standing Committee, a Bureau and three main committees.
The OSCE is aimed at preventing the emergence of conflicts in the region, resolving crisis situations, and eliminating the consequences of conflicts. The main means of ensuring security and solving OSCE problems are as follows.
- 1. “First basket” – political-military dimension:
- – arms proliferation control;
- – diplomatic efforts to prevent conflicts;
- – measures to build trust and security.
- 2. “Second basket” – economic and environmental dimension:
- – economic and environmental safety.
- 3. “Third basket” – human dimension:
- – protection of human rights;
- – development of democratic institutions;
- – election monitoring.
Declarations and decisions of OSCE bodies are adopted in the form of recommendations based on consensus, i.e. are not legally binding. Official CSCE/OSCE documents:
- – Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe 1975;
- – Charter of Paris for a New Europe 1990;
- – Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe 1990;
- – Declaration on Aggressive Nationalism 1993;
- – Charter for European Security 1999
Currently, 56 states are members of this MMPO: all European states, the USA, Canada, the former Soviet republics of Central Asia, and Kazakhstan. There is general agreement that the subregional nature of membership does not change the European structure of the OSCE as a regional collective security organization. The most important milestones in the activities of the OSCE:
- – 1996, Lisbon – Declaration “On a model of common and comprehensive security for Europe in the 21st century,” which emphasizes the need to build a united, peaceful and democratic Europe without dividing lines;
- – 1998, Oslo – Declaration on the role of the OSCE in creating a new European security system. The Declaration included provisions on OSCE police operations;
- – 1999, Istanbul – Charter for European Security and Agreement on the Adaptation of the CFE Treaty. Russia has committed to withdrawing troops from Georgia and Transnistria;
- – 2002, Lisbon – Final document “Preventing and combating terrorism”;
- – 2003, Maastricht – due to the conflict between Russia and the majority of OSCE member countries, political declarations were no longer adopted;
- – 2004, Moscow – a statement was adopted by the CIS countries accusing the OSCE of “double standards” and “unwillingness to take into account the realities and characteristics of individual states.” Russia called for a reorganization of the OSCE, blocked the adoption of the OSCE budget for three months, demanding a reduction in its share, and stated its reluctance to finance projects that contradict Russian interests. As a result, the Russian Federation’s share remained at 9%;
- – 2005, Ljubljana. Russia criticized the activities of the OSCE, especially the activities of OSCE observers monitoring elections in the CIS. At the meeting, the GUAM countries – Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova – presented a united front against Russia;
- – 2006 – Russia announced the possibility of leaving the OSCE if the OSCE does not shift the focus of its activities from monitoring human rights to military-political cooperation and the economy;
- – 2007 – Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan submitted to the OSCE a draft resolution limiting the work of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. The resolution was rejected;
- – 2007 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights refused to send its observers to the parliamentary elections in Russia;
- – 2008 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights refused to send its observers to the presidential elections in the Russian Federation;
- – 2009 – The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly adopted a resolution “On the reunification of a divided Europe: promoting human rights and civil liberties in the OSCE region in the 21st century,” which states that the Stalinist and Hitler regimes are responsible for genocide and crimes against humanity. This resolution equalizes the severity of crimes committed by "two powerful totalitarian regimes, Nazi and Stalin." The resolution demands that Russia, as an OSCE participant, abandon demonstrations in honor of the Soviet past. The OSCE also invited participating countries to abandon “structures and patterns of behavior aimed at embellishing history.”
According to Russian authorities, the OSCE should shift the focus of its activities from monitoring human rights to military-political cooperation and the economy. According to European and American analysts, two of the three “baskets” that made up the original OSCE mandate – military security, economic cooperation and democracy building – have now lost their relevance. Currently, responsibility for ensuring security and economic cooperation in Europe has passed to NATO and the EU. The OSCE's security and economic functions have become exhausted. However, the OSCE can play an important role in building democracy through its election observer missions.
At the OSCE summit in Lisbon in 1996, the Declaration “On a Model of Common and Comprehensive Security for Europe in the 21st Century”, documents “Conceptual Framework for Arms Control”, “Development of the Agenda of the Forum for Security Co-operation” were adopted.
At the 1999 Istanbul Summit, the Charter for European Security, the Agreement on the Adaptation of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, and the Final Political Declaration on Confidence Building Measures were signed. The Charter contains the main provisions of the concept of European security:
- – respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law, disarmament, arms control, confidence-building measures are central to the concept of comprehensive security;
- – The CFE Treaty must remain the cornerstone of the European security system;
- – within the framework of the OSCE, no state, group of states or organization can be given primary responsibility for maintaining peace and stability in the OSCE region or consider any part of this region as its sphere of influence;
- – The UN Security Council plays a major role in maintaining peace and security; its activities are of key importance in ensuring security and stability in the OSCE region;
- – OSCE member states reaffirm their rights and obligations under the UN Charter, including the obligation not to use force or the threat of force;
- – PKOs within the OSCE can only be carried out with the consent of the conflicting parties and should not be coercive actions. A complete ban on the use of coercive measures is a distinctive feature of the pan-European security system. Operations can be carried out in cases of both interstate and intrastate conflicts. The main tasks of the PKO within the OSCE are monitoring the ceasefire, monitoring the withdrawal of troops, maintaining law and order, and providing humanitarian assistance. When conducting operations, the OSCE uses the experience of other regional international international organizations - the EU, NATO, WEU.
The 1994 Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security emphasizes that an indispensable element of stability and security is political control of the military, internal security, intelligence and police forces, since security is indivisible and interconnected. To resolve conflicts within the OSCE, the following can be used: peaceful resolution of international disputes, missions of special rapporteurs and groups of military observers, fact-finding missions, OSCE peacekeeping forces (operating and created under the same conditions as UN peacekeeping forces). Decisions on conducting a peacekeeping operation are made by the Council of Ministers on the basis of consensus and with the obligatory informing of the UN Security Council about the actions taken.
CSCE military observer groups took part in resolving conflicts in the Middle East in 1991, as well as in Transnistria and Nagorno-Karabakh. CSCE peacekeeping forces were deployed to Albania. In 1994, the military conflict between Georgia and Abkhazia was considered within the framework of the CSCE; in 1996, an observer from the OSCE was present and carried out mediation functions to resolve the conflict in Chechnya.
The OSCE today is the largest international organization. Its scope of competence includes problems of resolving conflicts without the use of weapons, ensuring the integrity and inviolability of the borders of participating countries, and ensuring the basic rights and freedoms of ordinary people. The history of the birth of this advisory body goes back to the post-war period, when the issue of preventing destructive and bloody wars between countries seriously arose.
The importance attached to the Conference on Cooperation and Security in Europe is explained by the fact that in world history there were no precedents for holding meetings of this level. The final act, signed in Helsinki, laid the foundations for the security of the continent for many years to come.
Background of the OSCE
The 1975 Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe was a consequence of events taking place in the world since the beginning of the 20th century. The 1st World War swept across the European continent like a destructive tornado, causing a lot of grief. The main desire of all people was to prevent such conflicts in which there are no winners. The Soviet Union first came up with the initiative to create an advisory body on issues of collective security back in the 30s.
However, disagreements between different systems prevented the leading powers of Europe from developing common rules together with the USSR. As a result, the lack of unity and a common approach to security issues on the continent largely led to another terrible war, which claimed even more lives than the 1st World War.
But the example of the anti-fascist coalition showed that even countries with different political systems can effectively cooperate in the name of a common goal. Unfortunately, the Cold War interrupted this good intention. The formation of NATO in 1949, then a bloc of countries divided the world into two warring camps. Today it seems like a bad dream, but the world really lived in anticipation of a nuclear war; in the United States, people built thousands of individual bomb shelters with a long-term supply of water and food in case of conflict.
In these conditions, when one careless step on the part of any of the warring parties could be misunderstood and lead to dire consequences, it became especially necessary to develop uniform norms and rules of the game, binding on everyone.
Preparation
It was the countries of the eastern part of the continent who made a great contribution to the Conference on Cooperation and Security in Europe. In January 1965, in Warsaw, the USSR and other countries took the initiative to develop uniform norms and rules for collective security and mutual cooperation of all countries of the European continent. This proposal was further developed at subsequent meetings of the PAC in 66 and 69, when the Declaration of Peace and Cooperation and a special appeal to all European states were adopted.
At the meeting of the ministers of the VD countries in 69 and 70 in Prague and Budapest, an agenda was already formulated that will be included in the Conference on Cooperation and Security in Europe. In parallel with this, there was a process of establishing dialogue with Western countries.
An agreement was signed with Germany, which confirmed the existing borders at that time. And in 1971, an agreement was already concluded between the four leading powers on the status. This significantly eased tension on the continent and legally consolidated the results of the post-war world order.
A great contribution to the Conference on Cooperation and Security in Europe was made by neutral countries, which least of all wanted to be caught between two warring forces. Finland made a proposal to organize this event, as well as to hold preliminary meetings on its territory.
In 1972, formal consultations between all parties began in the small town of Otaniemi near Helsinki. These events continued for more than six months. As a result, a decision was made to hold a Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, the date of which was becoming a reality. The summit was to be held in three stages, and its agenda included:
- Security in Europe.
- Scientific, technical, environmental and economic interaction.
- Human rights, humanitarian issues.
- Following actions.
First stage
The Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, the year of which will go down in history, began on July 3, 1973 in Helsinki and continued until the 7th. 35 states took part in it.
A. Gromyko presented the draft General Declaration on Collective Security. The GDR, Hungary, and Poland made their proposals for economic and cultural cooperation. Germany, Italy, England, and Canada paid a lot of attention to human rights issues.
As a result of five days of negotiations, it was decided to follow the recommendations of the so-called Blue Book and formulate a final act in the second stage of negotiations.
Second phase
Neutral Switzerland also made its contribution to the Conference on Cooperation and Security in Europe. The second stage of negotiations took place in Geneva and lasted for a long time, starting on September 18, 1973. The main round ended two years later on July 21, 1975. Commissions were created to address the first three issues on the agenda, as well as a working group to discuss the fourth item.
In addition, work was carried out in 12 subcommittees, in which all interested parties took part. During this time, 2,500 commission meetings were held, at which 4,700 proposals for a final agreement were considered. In addition to official meetings, there were many informal meetings between diplomats.
This work was not easy, because the dialogue was conducted by countries with different political systems, openly at odds with each other. Attempts were made to introduce projects that could open up the possibility of direct interference in the internal affairs of states, which in itself was contrary to the spirit of the plan.
Be that as it may, this titanic work was not in vain; all documents were agreed upon and the Final Act was presented for signing.
Last stage and signing of the final document
The Final Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe took place in Helsinki from July 30 to August 1, 1975. It was the most representative meeting of heads of state in the history of the continent. All leaders of the 35 countries party to the agreement took part in it.
It was at this Meeting that an agreement was signed on principles that laid the foundation for collective security and cooperation on the continent for many years to come.
The main part of the document is the Declaration of Principles.
According to it, all countries must respect territorial integrity, respect the inviolability of borders, resolve conflicts peacefully and respect the basic rights and freedoms of their citizens. Thus ended the Helsinki Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, the year of which became a new milestone in relations between states.
Security and cooperation
The first main section of the final document proclaimed the principle of peaceful resolution of conflicts. All disputes between states must be resolved non-violently. To avoid misunderstandings, countries should openly notify everyone about major military exercises, the movements of large armed groups, and invite observers in these cases.
The second section addresses issues of cooperation. It discusses issues of exchange of experience and information in the field of science and technology, development of uniform norms and standards.
In the name of the people
The largest section concerns issues that concern most people - the humanitarian sphere. Due to the diametrically opposed views on the relationship between the state and the individual between the eastern and western camps, this section caused the most controversy in the consultations.
It stipulates the principles of respect for human rights, the possibility of crossing borders, guarantees for family reunification, cultural and sports cooperation between citizens of different countries.
Guarantees of implementation of principles
The final, but not the last part of the document is the “Next Steps” section. It establishes the possibility of meetings and consultations between participating countries in order to comply with the main principles of the Conference. This part should have turned the final document into a real force rather than a waste of time.
The end of the 20th century was the period of collapse of the socialist camp. Borders collapsed, and the integrity of states became an empty phrase. All this was accompanied by unprecedented suffering of ordinary people, wars in the territories of the former Yugoslavia and the USSR.
The reaction to these events was the reorganization of the political and declarative body into a real organization in 1995 - the OSCE.
Today, in light of recent events, with the threat of a resumption of mothballed military conflicts in the very center of the continent, the role of the 1975 Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe is more relevant than ever. This event clearly showed that even sworn enemies can come to an agreement among themselves for the sake of peace and stability.
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Organization for Security and Co‑operation in Europe (OSCE) is an international regional political association of 56 states of Europe, Central Asia and North America based on common goals and principles of security and cooperation. Formed in 1975 year in the form of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE).
The OSCE (before January 1, 1995 - CSCE), recognized as a regional agreement within the meaning of Chapter VIII of the UN Charter, is considered as one of the main organizations for the peaceful settlement of disputes in the region of its operation, one of the key instruments for early warning, conflict prevention, regulation crises and post-conflict reconstruction.
The OSCE operates on the basis of the concept of common and comprehensive security, which unites three dimensions - military-political, economic, environmental and humanitarian; is guided by the principles of equal partnership, solidarity and transparency. All participating states have equal status.
Governing bodies discuss security issues of concern to states and make decisions on these issues. All decisions are made based on consensus. They are not legally binding, but carry political obligations of states.
The highest organ of the OSCE is summits, which are held by agreement of states, usually once every two to three years, depending on the requirements of the international political situation. In years when summits are not held, meetings of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CMFA) are held.
The permanent governing body of the OSCE is Standing Council, meeting in Vienna at the level of permanent representatives of the participating states. Created by decision of the Rome Council of Foreign Ministers in 1993.
The coordinating role in the work of the organization and its collective bodies is performed by the Acting chairman OSCE, whose functions are entrusted to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the presiding state.
Military-political issues, including disarmament, arms control, confidence-building measures, etc., are discussed at Forum for Security Cooperation OSCE (FSB), which meets weekly in Vienna at the level of state representatives. The forum was created in 1992 by decision of the Helsinki Summit.
On Economic Forum The OSCE, which convenes annually in Prague, examines current issues of pan-European economic and environmental cooperation.
Human dimension issues are discussed at annual Conferences to review the implementation of humanitarian commitments, which are held in Warsaw.
OSCE Secretariat located in Vienna. Headed by the Secretary General. Consists of seven divisions. These are: the office of the Secretary General; Conflict Prevention Center; coordinator of economic and environmental activities; senior police adviser; Department of Support Services and Budget; Human Resources Department; Prague office (archive).
Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has been operating in Warsaw since 1990. Engaged in assistance in holding elections and monitoring them, supporting democratic institutions, NGOs, human rights, etc.
High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) has been operating since 1992 in The Hague. A tool of preventive diplomacy. Its main task is to prevent ethnically motivated conflicts at the earliest possible stage.
Representative for Freedom of the Media has been operating since 1997 in Vienna. Provides assistance to state governments in the development of a free press.
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly created in 1991 as an independent parliamentary structure. Consists of parliamentarians from OSCE countries who meet twice a year for summer and winter sessions in one of the participating States. Assembly resolutions are not binding on governments.
There are 17 missions and field presences of the Organization operating in the OSCE space. The OSCE headquarters is located in Vienna (Austria).
The material was prepared based on information from open sources