OSCE today is the largest international organization. Its competence includes the problems of resolving conflicts without the use of weapons, ensuring the integrity and inviolability of the borders of the participating countries, 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 question arose of preventing destructive and bloody wars between countries.
The significance invested in the Conference on Cooperation and Security in Europe is explained by the fact that in world history there were no precedents for meetings of this level. The final act, signed in Helsinki, laid the foundations for the continent's security for many years to come.
OSCE Background
The 1975 Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe was the result of events taking place in the worldsince the beginning of the 20th century. The 1st World War swept through 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. For the first time, the Soviet Union came up with the initiative to create an advisory body on collective security issues 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 a second terrible war that 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, followed by the bloc of Warsaw Pact countries, divided the world into two warring camps. Today it seems like a nightmare, 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.
Under these conditions, when one careless step on the part of any of the warring parties could be misunderstood and lead to terrible consequences, it became especially necessary to develop common norms and rules of the game, binding on all.
Preparation
A great contribution to the Conference on Cooperation and Security in Europe was made bythe countries of the eastern part of the continent. In January 1965, in Warsaw, the USSR and other countries took the initiative to develop common norms and rules for collective security and mutual cooperation of all countries of the European continent. This proposal was developed at subsequent meetings of the PAC in 66 and 69, when the Declaration on Peace and Cooperation and a special appeal to all European states were adopted.
At the meeting of ministers of the countries of the WA in 69 and 70 in Prague and Budapest, the agenda was already formulated, which will be submitted to the Conference on Cooperation and Security in Europe. In parallel with this, the process of establishing a dialogue with Western countries took place.
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 of West Berlin. This significantly eased the tension on the continent and legally consolidated the results of the post-war world order.
A big contribution to the Conference on Cooperation and Security in Europe was made by neutral countries, which least of all wanted to be squeezed between two warring forces. Finland made a proposal to organize this event, as well as holding preliminary meetings on its territory.
In 1972, in the small town of Otaniemi, not far from Helsinki, official consultations of all parties began. These activities continued for more than six months. In the end it wasa 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 cooperation.
- Human rights, humanitarian issues.
- Follow-up.
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 on economic and cultural cooperation. Germany, Italy, England, Canada paid much attention to human rights issues.
After five days of negotiations, it was decided to follow the recommendations of the so-called Blue Book and formulate a final act at the second stage of negotiations.
Second stage
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 dragged on for a long time, starting on September 18, 1973. The main round ended two years later - on July 21, 1975. Commissions were established on the first three issues on the agenda, as well as a working group to discuss the fourth item.
Besides, the work was carried out at 12subcommittees, in which all interested parties took part. During this time, 2,500 meetings of the commission 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 hostile to 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 contradicted 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 submitted for signing.
The last stage and the signing of the final document
The Final Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe was held in Helsinki from July 30 to August 1, 1975. It was the most representative assembly of heads of state in the history of the continent. It was attended by all the leaders of 35 countries participating in the agreement.
It was at this meeting that an agreement was signed on the 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 her, all countries must respect territorial integrity, observe the inviolability of borders, resolve conflicts peacefully and respect the basic rights and freedoms of their citizens. Thus ended the Helsinkiconference on security and cooperation in Europe, the year of which became a new milestone in the relations between states.
Security and cooperation
The first main section of the final document proclaimed the principle of peaceful settlement of conflicts. All disputes between states must be resolved non-violently. In order to avoid misunderstandings, countries should openly notify everyone about major military exercises, about the movements of large armed groups, and invite observers in these cases.
The second section deals with the issues of cooperation. It discusses the exchange of experience and information in the field of science and technology, the development of common norms and standards.
For the people
The largest section deals with issues that concern most people - the humanitarian sphere. Due to the diametrically opposed view of the relationship between the state and the individual between the eastern and western camps, this section caused the most controversy during 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 for the implementation of principles
The last but not the last part of the document is the "Next Steps" section. It establishes the possibility of meetings and consultations of the participating countries in the name of compliancethe main principles of the Conference. This part was supposed to turn the final document into a real force, not a waste of time.
The end of the 20th century was the period of the 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, 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 the light of recent events, with the threat of a resumption of canned 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 agree among themselves for the sake of peace and stability.
