The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is an important interstate body whose main task is to maintain peace and stability on the continent. The history of this structure has more than one decade. But the actual effectiveness of the organization's work has long been debated. Let's find out what the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is, find out its main goals and functions, as well as a brief history of its activities.
History of Creation
First of all, let's find out under what circumstances the OSCE was created.
The idea of convening a meeting of representatives of states, which would develop general principles of international policy in the region, was first voiced in Bucharest in 1966 by representatives of European countries from the socialist camp that were part of the ATS bloc. Later, this initiative was supported by France and some other Western states. But Finland's position made a decisive contribution. It was this country that offered to hold these meetings in its capital, Helsinki.
Preliminary consultation phase ran from November 1972 to June1973 The meeting was attended by delegates from 33 European countries, as well as Canada and the United States. At this stage, general recommendations for further cooperation were developed, the regulations and agenda for negotiations were drawn up.
The first meeting took place at the beginning of July 1973. It is from this date that it is customary to count the activities of the OSCE. At this stage, the foreign ministers of all European countries, except Albania, and two North American states took part in the discussion. Common ground was found on key issues, which is reflected in the Final Recommendations.
At the second stage, which took place in Geneva from September 1973 to July 1975, representatives of the contracting countries clarified the most important points of common cooperation so that they would best meet the interests of all participants, and also agreed on all controversial issues.
The direct signing of the final act took place in late July - early August 1975 in Helsinki. It was attended by senior leaders from all 35 contracting countries. The final agreement was officially called the "Final Act of the CSCE", and unofficially it was called the Helsinki Accords.
Main provisions of the Helsinki Accords
The results of World War II were officially fixed in the final document of the Helsinki Accords. In addition, 10 main principles of international legal relations were developed. Among them, the principle of inviolability of existing territorial boundaries should be highlighted. European countries, non-intervention, equality of states, observance of fundamental human freedoms, the right of nations to decide their own destiny.
In addition, general agreements were developed on relations in the cultural, military-political, legal and humanitarian spheres.
Further development of the organization
Since then, the Council for Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) began to meet regularly. Meetings were held in Belgrade (1977-1978), Madrid (1980-1983), Stockholm (1984) and Vienna (1986).
One of the most significant was the meeting in Paris in September 1990, which was attended by the top leadership of the participating countries. It adopted the famous Charter of Paris, which marked the end of the Cold War, signed an arms treaty, and also spelled out important organizational issues for further consultations.
At the Moscow meeting in 1991, a resolution was adopted on the priority of human rights over domestic laws.
In 1992, at a meeting in Helsinki, the CSCE was reformatted. If earlier it, in fact, was a forum for communication between the leadership of the member states, then from that moment it began to turn into a full-fledged permanent organization. In the same year, a new post was introduced in Stockholm - the Secretary General of the CSCE.
In 1993, at a meeting held in Rome, agreements were reached on the establishment of a Standing Committee, where participating countries sent their delegates for representation.
Thus, the CSCE more and more began to acquire the features of constantlyfunctioning organization. In order to bring the name in line with the real format, in 1994 in Budapest it was decided that the CSCE would now be called nothing more than the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). This provision has been in force since the beginning of 1995.
After that, significant meetings of OSCE delegates were held in Lisbon (1996), Copenhagen (1997), Oslo (1998), Istanbul (1999), Vienna (2000), Bucharest (2001), Lisbon (2002), Maastricht (2003), Sofia (2004), Ljubljana (2005), Astana (2010). Issues of regional security, terrorism, separatism, human rights issues were discussed at these forums.
It should be noted that, since 2003, Russia in the OSCE has taken a position that often differs from the opinion of most other participating countries. For this reason, many common solutions are blocked. At one time, there was even talk of a possible withdrawal of the Russian Federation from the organization.
Goals
The main goals set by the OSCE countries is to achieve peace and stability in Europe. To accomplish this task, the organization actively participates in the settlement of conflicts between powers and within the participating states, controls the spread of weapons, and conducts diplomatic preventive measures to prevent possible conflicts.
The organization monitors the economic situation and the environment in the region, as well as the observance of human rights in European countries. The activities of the OSCE are aimed at monitoring elections in the participating countries by sending theirobservers. The organization encourages the development of democratic institutions.
Member countries
Europe naturally has the largest representation in the organization. The OSCE has a total of 57 member countries. In addition to Europe, this organization is directly attended by two states from North America (Canada and the United States), as well as a number of Asian countries (Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, etc.)
But member status is not the only one that exists in this organization. Afghanistan, Tunisia, Morocco, Israel and a number of other states are considered partners in cooperation.
Structure of OSCE bodies
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has a fairly extensive governance structure.
To resolve the most important issues of a global nature, the Summit of Heads of State and Government is gathering. It is the decisions of this body that are of paramount importance. But it should be noted that the last time such a meeting took place in 2010 in Astana, and before that - only in 1999.
Unlike the Summit, the Council of Foreign Ministers meets annually. In addition to discussing the most important issues, his tasks include the election of the Secretary General of the organization.
The OSCE Permanent Council is the main body of this structure, which works on an ongoing basis and meets every week in Vienna. He discusses the issues raised and makes decisions on them. This body is chaired by the current chairman.
In addition, important structural bodies of the OSCE are the Parliamentary Assembly, the Bureau for Democratic Institutions, the Forum for Security Cooperation.
The first persons in the OSCE are the Chairman-in-Office and the Secretary General. We will discuss the significance of these positions and some of the structural bodies of the OSCE below.
Chairman-in-Office
The current OSCE activities are managed and organized by the Chairman-in-Office.
This position is held by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the country that chairs the OSCE this year. In 2016, this honorary mission is being carried out by Germany, which means that the head of the German Foreign Ministry F.-W. Stanmeier. Serbian representative Ivica Dacic held this position in 2015.
The tasks of the chairman include coordinating the work of the OSCE bodies, as well as representing this organization at the international level. For example, Ivica Dacic took an active part in the settlement of the armed conflict in Ukraine in 2015.
Post of Secretary General
The second most important post in the organization is the general secretary. This position is elected every three years by the Council of Ministers. The current General Secretary is the Italian Lamberto Zannier.
The powers of the Secretary General include the leadership of the secretariat of the organization, that is, he is actually the head of the administration. In addition, this person acts asOSCE representative during the absence of the Chairman-in-Office.
Parliamentary Assembly
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly includes representatives of all 57 of its participants. This structure was founded in 1992 as an inter-parliamentary organization. It consists of more than 300 deputies, who are delegated by the parliaments of the participating countries.
The headquarters of this body is located in Copenhagen. The first persons of the Parliamentary Assembly are the Chairman and Secretary General.
PACE has a permanent and three specialized committees.
Criticism
Recently, more and more criticism of the organization. Many experts argue that at the moment the OSCE is not able to solve really key challenges and needs to be reformed. Due to the nature of decision-making, many resolutions supported by a majority of members may be blocked by a minority.
In addition, there are precedents when even OSCE decisions are not implemented.
Meaning of the OSCE
Despite all the shortcomings, it is difficult to overestimate the importance of the OSCE. This organization is a platform where the participating countries can find common ground on controversial issues, resolve conflicts, and agree on a joint position on solving a specific problem. In addition, the organization is making great efforts to ensure human rights in European countries and the democratization of society.
Do not forget that at one time the Cold War was not ended inlastly thanks to consultations within the CSCE. At the same time, we must try to ensure that this organization also fully accepts new political and humanitarian challenges. And this requires reforming the OSCE.
