What is the OSCE? The composition, missions and observers of the OSCE

What is the OSCE? The history of this organization is as follows. In 1973, an international meeting was held, at which issues of cooperation and security in Europe (CSCE) were discussed. Participation was accepted by 33 states. It ended with the signing by the heads of state and government in Helsinki of the act, which became a long-term program of action for the building of a united, peaceful, democratic and prosperous Europe. The organization is the key for the European Community. It has broad powers to resolve various conflicts, monitor compliance with human rights in individual countries, and control environmental security.

The evolution of the organization

What is the OSCE? According to the Helsinki Final Agreements, the main areas of the organization's activities include the following issues relating to European security: cooperation in the fields of science, economy, technology, the environment, humanitarian and other fields (human rights, information, culture, education). This is the mission of the OSCE. Important milestones in the development of the Helsinki process were the meetings of the participating states in Belgrade (1977-1978), Madrid (1980-1983), Vienna (1986-1989).

Of great importance were the meetings of the OSCE participating States at the highest level in Paris (1990), Helsinki (1992), Budapest (1994), Lisbon (1996) and Istanbul (1999). As a result of the gradual institutionalization and decision-making on the creation of the post of Secretary General (1993) and the Permanent Council of the CSCE, it has acquired the features of an international regional organization. In accordance with the decision of the Budapest Summit in 1995, the CSCE changed its name to the OSCE. Explanation of the abbreviation: Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

In 1996, very important decisions and documents were adopted at the Lisbon summit of the participating countries. First, the concept of European security in the 21st century was defined. It dealt with the need to equip a new Europe without borders and dividing lines. In fact, this document was the basis for the creation of the European Union. Secondly, the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces (CFE) was updated.

What is the OSCE? Today, the organization's participants are 56 countries, including all European, post-Soviet, Canada, the United States and Mongolia. Such a composition of the OSCE allows the organization to solve many issues at the world level. Its mandate covers a huge list of issues of military-political, environmental, economic and scientific spheres. The organization's tasks are: counteraction to terrorism, arms control, environmental and economic security, protection of democracy and human rights, as well as many others. The countries that are members of the OSCE have equal status. Decisions are made on the basis of consensus. There are various OSCE institutions. What is it, we will understand below.

Objectives

The organization first of all directs its efforts to the prevention of various regional conflicts, the settlement of disputed and crisis situations, the elimination of the consequences of wars, etc. The main means of maintaining security and solving the main objectives of the organization are the three categories of instruments. The first include:

• Control of arms proliferation;
• Activities to build trust and promote security;
• Measures for the diplomatic prevention of various conflicts.

The second category includes security in the sphere of economy and ecology. The third category includes everything related to human rights, freedom of conscience and so on. It:

• Activities to protect human rights;
• Monitoring of elections in different countries;
• Fostering the development of democratic institutions.

It should be understood that OSCE decisions are recommendatory and not binding. However, they have great political significance. In the staff of the organization there are 370 people in leading positions and another 3,500 work in field missions.

Summit

Summits are meetings of representatives of the participating countries at the highest level. They are representative forums with the participation of heads of state and government, which are held, as a rule, every two to three years to discuss the state of affairs in the field of security and stability in the OSCE region, to take appropriate decisions, to determine the main activities of the organization in the short and long-term Prospects.

The Council of Ministers and the Permanent Council

Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the states that are members of the organization take part in the meetings of the Council of Ministers. It is the central policy and governing body of the OSCE. The Permanent Council is the acting body, within the framework of which political consultations are held at the level of the permanent representatives of the participating states, decisions are made on all issues of the current activities of the OSCE. Plenary sessions of the PS are held every Thursday in Vienna.

The Parliamentary Assembly

The OSCE has its own Parliamentary Assembly. Plenary sessions are held twice a year with the support of the PA Secretariat located in Copenhagen. The OSCE Chairman maintains contact with the PA on an ongoing basis, informs its participants about the work of the organization. The PA President is elected for a period of one year.

Secretariat

The OSCE Secretariat, which is managed by the Secretary-General, manages the work of the missions and centers of the organization deployed in the participating States, serves the activities of other governing bodies, provides various conferences, administers budgetary matters, manages policies, is responsible for liaising with international organizations, Press, etc. The Secretariat is located in Vienna (Austria), with an auxiliary office in Prague (Czech Republic). To improve the efficiency of the Secretariat and other institutions of the organization in the economic and environmental spheres, since January 1998, the position of the Coordinator of OSCE activities in the fields of economy and environment has been introduced.

The Chairman-in-Office

What is the OSCE? The person in charge of this organization and the main political figure is the Chairman-in-Office. He is responsible for coordination and consultations on current political issues . In his work, the Chairman-in-Office relies on assistance:

• The predecessor and successor, who act together with him in the troika format.
• Special groups, which he also appoints.
• Personal representatives who are also appointed by the Chairman-in-Office, with the provision of a specific mandate and the definition of a list of tasks in the various fields of OSCE competence.

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (abbreviated ODIHR)

This structure facilitates democratic elections in participating States (including the sending of observation missions), and also provides practical assistance in the establishment of democratic institutions and human rights, the strengthening of the foundations of civil society and the rule of law. The Office of the ODIHR is based in Warsaw.

The High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM)

This official is responsible for the early prevention of conflicts related to problems of national minorities. The HCNM Secretariat is located in The Hague.

Representative on Freedom of the Media

This official promotes the fulfillment by the participating countries of their obligations in the field of the media. The position of a media representative is critical to ensuring the normal functioning of an open democratic society, as well as a system of government accountability to its citizens. This OSCE institution was established in late 1997.

OSCE Missions

Missions function as a kind of "field" structure of the OSCE. In Southeast Europe, they are present in Albania: the OSCE mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Croatia, Serbia, Kosovo (Serbia). In Eastern Europe: an office in Minsk, a mission in Moldova, a project coordinator in Ukraine. In the South Caucasus: the OSCE mission in Georgia, offices in Yerevan and Baku, the representative of the Chairman-in-Office for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In Central Asia: the mission in Tajikistan, the OSCE centers in Almaty, Ashgabat, Bishkek, Tashkent. These institutions are important tools in conflict prevention and crisis management in the field. OSCE observers perform their functions in many hot spots and conflict regions.

Economic and Environmental Forum

These are annual events that are held to give impetus to the economies of participating States. They also make proposals on practical measures aimed at developing economic cooperation between countries.

Forum for Security Co-operation

This body carries out its work on a permanent basis in Vienna. It consists of representatives of the delegations of the OSCE participating States, discusses issues of arms control, disarmament, strengthening of confidence and security measures.