Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE): structure, objectives

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is an important interstate body whose main task is to preserve peace and stability on the continent. The history of this structure has more than one decade. But the real effectiveness of the organization has long been controversial. Let's find out what the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is, learn its main goals and functions, as well as a brief history of activities.

History of creation

First of all, let us find out under what circumstances the OSCE was created.

The idea of convening a meeting of representatives of states that would elaborate general principles of international politics in the region was first voiced in Bucharest in 1966 by representatives of European countries from the socialist camp, which were part of the ATS unit. Later this initiative was supported by France and some other Western countries. But the decisive contribution was made by the position of Finland. It was this country that proposed to hold these meetings in its capital - Helsinki.

The preliminary consultation stage was held from November 1972 to June 1973. The meeting was held by delegates from 33 European countries, as well as Canada and the United States. At this stage, the development of general recommendations for further cooperation, the rules and the agenda of negotiations were drawn up.

The first meeting was held in early July 1973. It was from this date that the OSCE activities were counted. At this stage, the ministers of foreign affairs of all European countries, except Albania, and two North American states participated in the discussion. Points of contact were found on the main issues, which was reflected in the "Final Recommendations".

At the second stage, which took place in Geneva from September 1973 to July 1975, the representatives of the contracting countries specified the most important points of common cooperation so that they would best meet the interests of all participants, and also coordinate all disputable issues.

The direct signing of the final act took place in late July - early August 1975 in Helsinki. Top leaders of all 35 contracting countries took part in it. The final agreement had the official name "Final Act of the CSCE", and it was unofficially called the Helsinki Accords.

Basic provisions of the Helsinki Accords

The final document of the Helsinki Accords officially formalized the results of the Second World War. In addition, 10 main principles of international legal relations were worked out. Among them, the principle of inviolability of the existing territorial borders of European countries, non-interference, equality of states, observance of basic human freedoms, the right of nations to decide their own destiny should be singled out.

In addition, common agreements on mutual relations in the cultural, military-political, legal and humanitarian spheres were worked out.

Further development of the organization

Since then, the Council for Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) has begun to meet regularly. The meetings took place in Belgrade (1977-1978), Madrid (1980-1983), Stockholm (1984), and also in Vienna (1986).

One of the most significant was the meeting in Paris in September 1990, in which the top leadership of the participating countries took part. It adopted the famous Paris Charter, which marked the end of the Cold War, signed an arms agreement, as well as important organizational matters 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 the meeting in Helsinki, the CSCE was reformatted. If earlier it was, in fact, a forum for communication between the leadership of the member states, from that moment it began to turn into a full-fledged permanent organization. In the same year, Stockholm introduced a new post - the Secretary General of the CSCE.

In 1993, at a meeting held in Rome, agreements were reached on the establishment of the Standing Committee, where the participating countries sent their delegates for representation.

Thus, the CSCE increasingly began to acquire the features of a permanently functioning organization. To bring the name into line with the real format, in 1994 in Budapest it was decided that now the CSCE will be called only the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). This provision came into force from the beginning of 1995.

After that, significant meetings of OSCE delegates took place in Lisbon (1996), Copenhagen (1997), Oslo (1998), Istanbul (1999), Vienna (2000), Bucharest (2001), Lisbon (2002), Maastricht (2003), Sofia 2004), Ljubljana (2005), Astana (2010). At these forums, issues of regional security, terrorism, separatism, and the problem of human rights were discussed.

It should be noted that, beginning in 2003, Russia in the OSCE takes a position that is often different from that of most other participating countries. For this reason, many common solutions are blocked. At one time, even talked about the possible withdrawal of the RF from the organization.

Objectives

The main goals that the OSCE countries put before themselves are the achievement of peace and stability in Europe. To fulfill this task, the organization actively participates in the settlement of conflicts between the powers and within the member states, controls the proliferation of weapons, conducts diplomatic preventive measures to prevent possible conflicts.

The organization monitors the economic situation and ecology in the region, as well as the observance of human rights in Europe. OSCE activities are aimed at monitoring elections in participating countries by sending observers to them. The organization encourages the development of democratic institutions.

Participating countries

Europe has the largest representation in the organization. The OSCE in total has 57 member countries. In addition to Europe, two states from North America (Canada and the USA), as well as a number of Asian countries (Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, etc.) directly participate in this organization.

But the status of the participant is not the only one that exists in the organization. Partners in cooperation are Afghanistan, Tunisia, Morocco, Israel and a number of other states.

Structure of the OSCE bodies

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has a fairly extensive management structure.

To solve the most important issues of a global nature, the Summit of Heads of State and Government meets. 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 task is to elect the Secretary General of the organization.

The OSCE Permanent Council is the main body of this structure, which works on a permanent basis and meets every week in Vienna. He is engaged in discussing the issues raised and taking decisions on them. The current chairman is the head of this body.

In addition, the important structural bodies of the OSCE are the Parliamentary Assembly, the Office for Democratic Institutions, the Forum for Security Co-operation.

The first persons in the OSCE are the acting chairman and the secretary general. The significance of these positions and of some OSCE structural bodies will be discussed in more detail below.

The Chairman-in-Office

The Chairman-in-Office is in charge of managing and organizing the current activities of the OSCE.

This position is occupied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the country that chairs the OSCE this year. In 2016 this honorable mission is carried out by Germany, which means that the Chairman of the OSCE is the Foreign Minister of Germany F.-V. Stannayer. In 2015, the representative of Serbia, Ivica Dacic, took the post.

The tasks of the chairman include coordinating the work of the OSCE bodies, as well as the representation of this organization at the international level. For example, Ivica Dacic in 2015 took an active part in the settlement of the armed conflict in Ukraine.

The post of General Secretary

The second most important post in the organization is the Secretary General. The election to this post is held every three years by the Council of Ministers. At the moment, the Italian secretary is Lamberto Zannier.

The Secretary General's powers include the management of the organization's secretariat, that is, he is actually the head of the administration. In addition, this person acts as an OSCE representative during the absence of the acting chairman.

The Parliamentary Assembly

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly includes representatives of all 57 of its participants. This structure was founded in 1992 as an interparliamentary organization. It consists of more than 300 deputies delegated by the parliaments of the participating countries.

The headquarters of this body is in Copenhagen. The first persons of the Parliamentary Assembly are the chairman and the secretary general.

A permanent and three specialized committees operate within the PACE.

Criticism

Recently, criticism towards the organization has been intensifying. 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 decisions supported by a majority of members can be blocked by a minority.

In addition, there are precedents when even the OSCE decisions taken are not being implemented.

The importance of 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 the conflict, agree on a joint position on the solution of a specific problem. In addition, the organization makes considerable efforts to ensure human rights in European countries and the democratization of society.

Do not forget that in due time the Cold War was terminated, not least thanks to consultations within the framework of the CSCE. At the same time, it is necessary to try to ensure that the new organization also takes fully armed new political and humanitarian challenges. And this requires reforming the OSCE.