RENEWING DIALOGUE, REBUILDING TRUST,

RESTORING SECURITY

ARMS CONTROL

COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING

ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

HUMAN RIGHTSENVIRONMENT

DEMOCRATIZATION

ELECTIONS RULE OF LAW

TOLERANCE

AND NON-

DISCRIMINATION

CONFLICT PREVENTION

AND RESOLUTION

COMBATING

TERRORISM EDUCATION

GENDER EQUALITY

GOOD GOVERNANCE

MEDIA FREEDOM AND DEVELOPMENT

MINORITY RIGHTS

POLICING

ROMA AND SINTI

BORDER

MANAGEMENT

REFORM AND COOPERATION

I N T H E S E C U R I T Y S E C T O R

Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Foreign Minister, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office 2016

GERMANY’S OSCE CHAIRMANSHIP 2016

With the OSCE Chairmanship, Germany assumes responsibility for security and co-operation in Europe during one of the worst crises of the European security order in decades. In the present political situation it is crucial to make the best possible use of the OSCE, as an organization with operational conflict management and resolution capacities, and to deploy, preserve and strengthen it as an instru-ment for dialogue and confidence-building in Europe. As the Chair, Germany places great value on strengthening the principles and obliga-tions agreed in the CSCE/OSCE framework and clearly identifying any violations of them.

In order to counteract the risk of further alienation and lack of com-munication among OSCE participating States, more intensive societal exchange across borders is also needed. To that end, Germany will maintain close contact with civil society actors and closely involve them in its work as OSCE Chair, for example by means of cultural events, youth exchanges between OSCE participating States, and col-laboration with think tanks and foundations on security issues.

PRIORITIES OF THE GERMAN OSCE CHAIRMANSHIP 2016

Germany‘s programme focuses on five priorities, under the motto of renewing dialogue, rebuilding trust, restoring security:

1.Maintaining strong engagement in crisis and conflict management in Ukraine, the South Caucasus and the Trans-dniestrian settlement process. The OSCE makes numerous

significant contributions in this field – as seen in Ukraine, where it is contributing actively to conflict resolution, for example through the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) and in the Trilateral Contact Group. Here Germany intends to help the OSCE to continue and intensify its engagement.

2. Strengthen OSCE capacities across the entire conflict cycle, from early warning and conflict prevention to conflict resolution and post-conflict rehabilitation, including confi-

dence-building measures. Practical lessons from the OSCE’s work in Ukraine are to be taken into account.

3. Using the OSCE as a platform for dialogue. Fundamen-tal OSCE principles, such as territorial integrity, have been flagrantly violated in Ukraine. This must be clearly stated.

At the same time, the OSCE is a forum where lines of communication should be kept open even in difficult times. In the long term, confi-dence must be rebuilt. Germany intends to do its part in achieving this. Despite the crisis, the participating States continue to share an interest in co-operation in many areas, for example on transnational threats such as terrorism. Political dialogue on these issues in particu-lar should be maintained in the OSCE.

4. Strengthening the economic and environmental dimen-sion of the OSCE and improving connectivity in the OSCE region in the long term. The dialogue about the economic

future of the large shared space covered by the OSCE is of special concern to Germany. As OSCE Chair, Germany intends to foster dis-cussion about how to create better economic links, for example in the area of transport infrastructure, digital highways, regulatory matters, and improvement of investment conditions through good governance.

The OSCE proved in the Ukraine crisis how important it is for the European peace order. We want to continue to strengthen the OSCE and have decided to take on responsibility through the OSCE Chairmanship.

5. Focussing on the human dimension. Violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the participating States must be discussed in the OSCE. Germany will place special

emphasis on identifying deficits in the implementation of agreed prin-ciples and at the same time create opportunities for greater exchange on implementation. In the current situation, Germany regards the areas of tolerance and non-discrimination, freedom of expression and the media, and minority rights as particularly important.

RENEWING DIALOGUE, REBUILDING TRUST,

RESTORING SECURITY

ARMS CONTROL

COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING

ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

HUMAN RIGHTSENVIRONMENT

DEMOCRATIZATION

ELECTIONS RULE OF LAW

TOLERANCE

AND NON-

DISCRIMINATION

CONFLICT PREVENTION

AND RESOLUTION

COMBATING

TERRORISM EDUCATION

GENDER EQUALITY

GOOD GOVERNANCE

MEDIA FREEDOM AND DEVELOPMENT

MINORITY RIGHTS

POLICING

ROMA AND SINTI

BORDER

MANAGEMENT

REFORM AND COOPERATION

I N T H E S E C U R I T Y S E C T O R

Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Foreign Minister, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office 2016

GERMANY’S OSCE CHAIRMANSHIP 2016

With the OSCE Chairmanship, Germany assumes responsibility for security and co-operation in Europe during one of the worst crises of the European security order in decades. In the present political situation it is crucial to make the best possible use of the OSCE, as an organization with operational conflict management and resolution capacities, and to deploy, preserve and strengthen it as an instru-ment for dialogue and confidence-building in Europe. As the Chair, Germany places great value on strengthening the principles and obliga-tions agreed in the CSCE/OSCE framework and clearly identifying any violations of them.

In order to counteract the risk of further alienation and lack of com-munication among OSCE participating States, more intensive societal exchange across borders is also needed. To that end, Germany will maintain close contact with civil society actors and closely involve them in its work as OSCE Chair, for example by means of cultural events, youth exchanges between OSCE participating States, and col-laboration with think tanks and foundations on security issues.

PRIORITIES OF THE GERMAN OSCE CHAIRMANSHIP 2016

Germany‘s programme focuses on five priorities, under the motto of renewing dialogue, rebuilding trust, restoring security:

1.Maintaining strong engagement in crisis and conflict management in Ukraine, the South Caucasus and the Trans-dniestrian settlement process. The OSCE makes numerous

significant contributions in this field – as seen in Ukraine, where it is contributing actively to conflict resolution, for example through the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) and in the Trilateral Contact Group. Here Germany intends to help the OSCE to continue and intensify its engagement.

2. Strengthen OSCE capacities across the entire conflict cycle, from early warning and conflict prevention to conflict resolution and post-conflict rehabilitation, including confi-

dence-building measures. Practical lessons from the OSCE’s work in Ukraine are to be taken into account.

3. Using the OSCE as a platform for dialogue. Fundamen-tal OSCE principles, such as territorial integrity, have been flagrantly violated in Ukraine. This must be clearly stated.

At the same time, the OSCE is a forum where lines of communication should be kept open even in difficult times. In the long term, confidence must be rebuilt. Germany intends to do its part in achieving this. De-spite the crisis, the participating States continue to share an interest in co-operation in many areas, for example on transnational threats such as terrorism. Political dialogue on these issues in particular should be maintained in the OSCE.

4. Strengthening the economic and environmental dimen-sion of the OSCE and improving connectivity in the OSCE region in the long term. The dialogue about the economic

future of the large shared space covered by the OSCE is of special concern to Germany. As OSCE Chair, Germany intends to foster dis-cussion about how to create better economic links, for example in the area of transport infrastructure, digital highways, regulatory matters, and improvement of investment conditions through good governance.

The OSCE proved in the Ukraine crisis how important it is for the European peace order. We want to continue to strengthen the OSCE and have decided to take on responsibility through the OSCE Chairmanship.

5. Focussing on the human dimension. Violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the participating States must be discussed in the OSCE. Germany will place special

emphasis on identifying deficits in the implementation of agreed prin-ciples and at the same time create opportunities for greater exchange on implementation. In the current situation, Germany regards the areas of tolerance and non-discrimination, freedom of expression and the media, and minority rights as particularly important.

WHAT IS THE OSCE?The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which came into being in the mid-1990s out of the Con-ference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE), is the world’s largest regional security organization. The OSCE is characterized by its co-operative and comprehen- sive concept of security, which also includes the promotion of economic development, the sustainable use of natural re-sources and protecting human rights and fundamental free-doms in its participating States.

A PLATFORM FOR DIALOGUE AND CONFIDENCE-BUILDING DURING THE COLD WAR

OVERCOMING THE EAST-WEST CONFRONTATION AND SHAPING A NEW ERA

Chancellor of the Federal Repub-lic of Germany, Helmut Schmidt (First row right), discussing with Erich Honecker, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Ger-man Democratic Republic (First row left), during the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE), 30 July 1975.

1975

1992

The CSCE was created in the early 1970s as a multilateral forum for dialogue and negotiation. It played an important role in ending the Cold War and overcoming the division of Europe. The founding docu-ment of the CSCE, the Hel-sinki Final Act of 1975, defined a series of political commitments relating to politico-military, economic, environmental and human rights issues that are still highly relevant today. It also laid out fundamental principles regulating the way states behave towards their citizens and towards one another.

In 1990, following the fall of the Iron Curtain, the CSCE participating

States drew up the Charter of Paris for a New Europe” and laid down their vision for a new era of democracy,

peace and unity”. This set new standards for collective security on the European continent in the areas of disarmament, arms control as well as confidence- and security-building measures.

The participating States also pledged to observe the

principles of pluralist democracy and the rule of law, and to safeguard respect for human rights and funda-mental freedoms.

1990

1990

1990

Charter of Paris for a New Europe

Treaty on Conven-tional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE)

Treaty on Open Skies

Copenhagen Document

Helsinki Final Act

The preparatory conferences and formal negotiations leading to

the signing of the Helsinki Final Act in 1975 lasted more than

ENGLISH, FRENCH, GERMAN, ITALIAN,

Uniquely broad membership:

all EU MEMBER STATES, and 4 of the 5 permanent members of theUN SECURITY COUNCIL are participating States in the OSCE.REPUBLICS

all NATO MEMBER STATES, all FORMER SOVIET

TWO YEARS.

RUSSIAN and SPANISH are the official OSCE languages.

EXECUTIVE STRUCTURES

FIELD OPERATIONS  

http://www.osce.org/where(see map)

OSCE Parliamentary AssemblyCopenhagen http://www.oscepa.org/

DECISION-MAKING BODIES

Summits

Permanent CouncilViennahttp://www.osce.org/pc

Forum for Security Co-operationViennahttp://www.osce.org/fsc

Ministerial Councilhttp://www.osce.org/mc  

STRUCTURE OF THE OSCE

HOW DOES THE OSCE FUNCTION AND TAKE DECISIONS?

and government (most recently 2010 in Astana), the annual Min-isterial Council of the Foreign Ministers, or by the two organs that meet weekly in Vienna: the Permanent Council and the Fo-rum for Security Co-operation. The OSCE’s special status means that these decisions are politically but not legally binding.

The OSCE, with its 57 partici-pating States, is a regional Secu-rity Arrangement under Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter, and does not have international legal personality.

All participating States have equal rights and take decisions by consensus. Decisions may be tak-en by Summits of heads of state

CHAIRMANSHIP, SECRETARY GENERAL, SECRETARIAT AND INSTITUTIONS

In addition, three independent institutions help monitor the im-plementation of commitments of participating States and provide early warning mechanisms: the Office for Democratic Institu-tions and Human Rights in War-saw (ODIHR, initially founded in 1990 as the Office for Free Elec-tions), the High Commissioner on National Minorities in The Hague (since 1992) and the Rep-resentative on Freedom of the Media in Vienna (since 1997).

The OSCE Chairmanship changes annually among partici-pating States. Germany is Chair in 2016. The Chairmanship, together with its predecessor (Serbia 2015) and its succes-sor (Austria 2017), forms the OSCE Troika. The Chairperson-in-Office may appoint Personal or Special Representatives for particular issues and is support-ed by the Secretary General, who heads the OSCE Secretar-iat in Vienna.

Secretary GeneralViennahttp://www.osce.org/sg

SecretariatVienna/Praguehttp://www.osce.org/ secretariat

Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)Warsawhttp://www.osce.org/odihr

Representative on Freedom of the MediaViennahttp://www.osce.org/fom

High Commissioner on National MinoritiesThe Haguehttp://www.osce.org/hcnm

Personal Representatives of the Chairperson-in-Office

Chairmanshiphttp://www.osce.org/cio

Troika

THE OSCE’S COMPREHENSIVE SECURITY CONCEPT

CO-OPERATION WITH CIVIL SOCIETY

dialogue formats and to channel their experience and expertise di-rectly into OSCE projects. Experts from academia and from NGOs also play an active role in moni-toring missions and other OSCE mechanisms.

nomic development and the sus-tainable use of natural resources.

The human dimension cov-ers aspects such as respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; establishment of dem-ocratic institutions; maintaining the rule of law; free, fair and transparent elections; protection of national minorities; improving the living conditions and social participation of Roma and Sinti; and promoting tolerance and non-discrimination.

Since 1990, OSCE participating States have affirmed their com-mitment to the organization’s unique concept of comprehen-sive security. It comprises three dimensions:

the politico-military dimen-sion relates to matters such as military security, arms control, combating terrorism and human trafficking, and defence and po-lice reforms.

The economic and environ-mental dimension promotes eco-

Collaborating with civil society representatives is a central ele-ment of the OSCE’s work. Unlike in other multilateral organizations civil society has the opportunity to regularly exchange views with gov-ernment representatives in various

OSCE AREAS OF FOCUS

Politico-Military dimension

Cros

s-di

men

sion

al

Economic and Environmental dimension

Human dimension

Arms control

Border management

Combating human trafficking

Combating terrorism

Conflict prevention and resolution

Democratization

Economic activities

Elections

Gender equality

Good governance

Human rights

Media freedom and development

Reform and co-operation in the security sector

Minority rights

Policing

Roma and Sinti

Education

Rule of law

Tolerance and non-discrimination

Environmental activities

Since its creation, ODIHR has deployed more than 44,000 short-term observers in over

300 OSCE election observation missions in 56 participating States.

GERMANY regularly provides up to

10% of the members of OSCE ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSIONS - more than 3,600 people since 2002. German observers are recruited and trained by the Center for International Peace Operations (ZIF).

The OSCE’s budget for 2015 was

42% was used for the SECRETARIAT

58% for FIELD OPERATIONS.

and the other institutions and

141.1 MILLION EUROS:

The OSCE is funded by contributions from its

57 participating States. GERMANY

provides approximately 11% of the total

budget, making it the SECOND BIGGEST CONTRIBUTOR after the US (approx. 13%).

In 2015, the OSCE employed 3,077 STAFF,

2,558 of whom were active

in FIELD OPERATIONS in the South East Europe, Eastern Europe, Southern Caucasus and Central Asia. 519 were working in the OSCE Secretariat or the inde-pendent institutions. About three-quarters of the total were local staff. 46% of the total staff were female.

THE OSCE WORLD

ALBANIA 20 1 1997

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 40 4 1995

KOSOVO151 6 1999

MONTENEGRO10 0 2006

SERBIA25 2 2001

THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA42 1 1992

MOLDOVA13 1 1993

UKRAINE * 3 0 1999

607 29 2014

RUSSIA 22 0 2014

TURKMENISTAN6 0 1999

KAZAKHSTAN6 1 1998

KYRGYZSTAN26 0 1998

TAJIKISTAN28 2 1993

UZBEKISTAN2 0 2000

International staff

OSCE Partners for Co-operationOSCE participating States

German staff

Start

OSCE field operations

* Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine

The OSCE participating States cover

MONGOLIA is the most recent of

One of the first missions

1992. in SKOPJE It is still active on the ground.

49.44 MILLION KM² and are home to around

the 57 PARTICIPATING STATES to join the OSCE (since 2012).

1.2 BILLION people.

ARMENIA7 0 1999

was deployed to

ANNUAL SECURITY REVIEW CONFERENCEAn annual meeting of the OSCE and its participating States to promote dialogue and exchange with relevant interna-tional and regional organizations on topics that include arms control as well as confidence- and security-building mea-sures.

ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL FORUMThe highest-level annual OSCE meeting addressing economic and environmental issues, with more than 400 representa-tives from governments, civil society, business and interna-tional organizations. Its key tasks are to stimulate political debate and prepare recommendations on issues such as energy security, migration and good governance.

ELECTION OBSERVATIONThe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Parliamentary Assembly deploy election observation missions to OSCE participating States at the invitation of the host country. Short-term and long-term election observers verify the compliance of par-ticipating States with their commitments on democratic elections, utilizing a methodology based on long-standing experience. The findings of the observation are published in a report.

GLOSSARYHUMAN DIMENSION IMPLEMENTATION MEETINGAnnual meeting bringing together government officials, inter-national experts and civil society representatives to assess how participating States are implementing their commit-ments in the human dimension.

OSCE FIELD OPERATIONSThe OSCE currently has16 field and monitoring operations deployed in participating States and Kosovo. The deployment of a mission requires a decision by the Permanent Council and an invitation by the host country. The mandates aim to support the host country in fulfilling its OSCE obliga-tions, and improve co-operation with the OSCE. Some field operations have a mandate for conflict-resolution, such as the OSCE Mission to Moldova. In addition, field operations may be deployed in crisis situations. The largest operation is currently the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) with more than 600 international observers.

PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY (PA)The objective of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is to fa-cilitate inter-parliamentary dialogue and involve national parlia-ments more closely in the work of the OSCE. The PA currently consists of 323 parliamentarians from participating States. The German delegation consists of 13 members of the Bundestag. The Assembly also deploys its own election observers in the OSCE region, in co-operation with ODIHR. The PA’s Secretariat is located in Copenhagen.

PARTNERS FOR CO-OPERATIONThe OSCE has six Partners for Co-operation in the Mediter-ranean region (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco and Tuni-sia) and five in the Asia-Pacific region (Afghanistan, Australia, Japan, South Korea and Thailand). This co-operation stemmed from the realization that the security of the OSCE region is di-rectly linked to that of its neighbors. The OSCE therefore seeks to support its partners through dialogue, knowledge transfer and promotion of democratic values. The co-operation partnerships encompass all three dimensions of security.

© Prepared by the Center for International Peace Operations (ZIF) on behalf of the Federal Foreign Office for the German OSCE Chairmanship 2016. www.zif-berlin.org

Design: Kirsti Maula, Lufu Design, www.lufudesign.comPrinted by: Königsdruck BerlinSources: www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN; www.worlddata.info/alliances/osze.php; www.osce.org (www.osce.org/odihr, www.osce.org/secretariat, www.osce.org/whatistheosce/factsheet Nov. 2015); OSCE Annual Report 2014; www.wien-osze.diplo.de; ZIF World Map Peace Operations 2015/2016.

Photo credits: Federal Foreign Office Photothek/Thomas Köhler (Frank-Walter Steinmeier); Federal Press Office/Engelbert Reineke (CSCE, Helsinki 1975).

If you would like to receive printed copies of this flyer, please contact us through research@zif-berlin.org.