PRIORITIES OF THE GERMAN OSCE CHAIRMANSHIP 2016

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1 RENEWING DIALOGUE, REBUILDING TRUST, RESTORING SECURITY AND RESOLUTION EDUCATION HUMAN RIGHTS REFORM AND COOPERATION IN THE SECURITY SECTOR GENDER EQUALITY POLICING MINORITY RIGHTS TOLERANCE AND NON- DISCRIMINATION ENVIRONMENT GOOD GOVERNANCE DEMOCRATIZATION MEDIA FREEDOM AND DEVELOPMENT ELECTIONS RULE OF LAW ARMS CONTROL ROMA AND SINTI COMBATING TERRORISM COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING CONFLICT PREVENTION BORDER MANAGEMENT ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES PRIORITIES OF THE GERMAN OSCE CHAIRMANSHIP 2016 Germany s programme focuses on five priorities, under the motto of renewing dialogue, rebuilding trust, restoring security: strong engagement in crisis and conflict management in Ukraine, the South Caucasus and the Trans- 1.Maintaining 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. OSCE capacities across the entire conflict cycle, from early warning and conflict prevention to conflict 2.Strengthen resolution and post-conflict rehabilitation, including confidence-building measures. Practical lessons from the OSCE s work in Ukraine are to be taken into account. the OSCE as a platform for dialogue. Fundamental OSCE principles, such as territorial integrity, have been 3.Using 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 in difficult times. times. In the In long the long term, term, confidence confidence must be must rebuilt. be rebuilt. Germany Germany intends intends to do its to part do in its achieving part in achieving this. Despite Despite the crisis, the the crisis, participating the participating States continue States to continue share an to interest share an in this. interest co-operation in co-operation in many areas, in many for example areas, for on transnational example transnational threats such threats as terrorism. such as Political terrorism. dialogue Political on these dialogue issues on these in particular issues in should particular maintained should be in maintained the OSCE. in the OSCE. the economic and environmental dimension of the OSCE and improving connectivity in the OSCE 4.Strengthening region 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 discussion 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 be governance. on the human dimension. Violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the participating States 5.Focussing must be discussed in the OSCE. Germany will place special emphasis on identifying deficits in the implementation of agreed principles 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. 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 instrument for dialogue and confidence-building in Europe. As the Chair, Germany places great value on strengthening the principles and obligations 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 communication 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 collaboration with think tanks and foundations on security issues. 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. Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Foreign Minister, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office 2016

2 WHAT IS THE OSCE? The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which came into being in the mid-1990s out of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), is the world s largest regional security organization. The OSCE is characterized by its co-operative and comprehensive concept of security, which also includes the promotion of economic development, the sustainable use of natural resources and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms in its participating States. A PLATFORM FOR DIALOGUE AND CONFIDENCE-BUILDING DURING THE COLD WAR 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 document of the CSCE, the Helsinki 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. Helsinki Final Act 1975 The preparatory conferences and formal negotiations leading to the signing of the Helsinki Final Act in 1975 lasted more than TWO YEARS Charter of Paris for a New Europe Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Copenhagen Document Treaty on Open Skies OVERCOMING THE EAST-WEST CONFRONTATION AND SHAPING A NEW ERA 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 fundamental freedoms. Uniquely broad membership: all EU MEMBER STATES, all NATO MEMBER STATES, all FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS and 4 of the 5 permanent members of the UN SECURITY COUNCIL are participating States in the OSCE. ENGLISH, FRENCH, GERMAN, ITALIAN, RUSSIAN and SPANISH are the official OSCE languages. Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Helmut Schmidt (First row right), discussing with Erich Honecker, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the German Democratic Republic (First row left), during the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE), 30 July 1975.

3 HOW DOES THE OSCE FUNCTION AND TAKE DECISIONS? The OSCE, with its 57 participating States, is a regional Security 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 taken by Summits of heads of state and government (most recently 2010 in Astana), the annual Ministerial Council of the Foreign Ministers, or by the two organs that meet weekly in : the Permanent Council and the Forum for Security Co-operation. The OSCE s special status means that these decisions are politically but not legally binding. CHAIRMANSHIP, SECRETARY GENERAL, SECRETARIAT AND INSTITUTIONS The OSCE Chairmanship changes annually among participating States. Germany is Chair in The Chairmanship, together with its predecessor (Serbia 2015) and its successor (Austria 2017), forms the OSCE Troika. The Chairpersonin-Office may appoint Personal or Special Representatives for particular issues and is supported by the Secretary General, who heads the OSCE Secretariat in. In addition, three independent institutions help monitor the implementation of commitments of participating States and provide early warning mechanisms: the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights in Warsaw (ODIHR, initially founded in 1990 as the Office for Free Elections), the High Commissioner on National Minorities in The Hague (since 1992) and the Representative on Freedom of the Media in (since 1997). STRUCTURE OF THE OSCE Chairmanship Troika DECISION-MAKING BODIES Summits Ministerial Council Personal Representatives of the Chairperson-in-Office EXECUTIVE STRUCTURES Secretary General Secretariat /Prague secretariat Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Warsaw High Commissioner on National Minorities The Hague Permanent Council Forum for Security Co-operation Representative on Freedom of the Media FIELD OPERATIONS OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Copenhagen (see map)

4 THE OSCE S COMPREHENSIVE SECURITY CONCEPT Since 1990, OSCE participating nomic development and the sustainable States have affirmed their commitment use of natural resources. to the organization s The human dimension covers unique concept of comprehensive aspects such as respect for security. It comprises three human rights and fundamental dimensions: freedoms; establishment of democratic the politico-military dimension institutions; maintaining relates to matters such as the rule of law; free, fair and military security, arms control, transparent elections; protection combating terrorism and human of national minorities; improving trafficking, and defence and police the living conditions and social reforms. participation of Roma and Sinti; The economic and environmental and promoting tolerance and nondiscrimination. dimension promotes ecoand CO-OPERATION WITH CIVIL SOCIETY Collaborating with civil society representatives is a central element of the OSCE s work. Unlike in other multilateral organizations civil society has the opportunity to regularly exchange views with government representatives in various In 2015, the OSCE employed 3,077 STAFF, 2,558 of whom were active dialogue formats and to channel their experience and expertise directly into OSCE projects. Experts from academia and from NGOs also play an active role in monitoring missions and other OSCE mechanisms. in FIELD OPERATIONS in the South East Europe, Eastern Europe, Southern Caucasus and Central Asia. 519 were working in the OSCE Secretariat or the independent institutions. About three-quarters of the total were local staff. 46% of the total staff were female. OSCE AREAS OF FOCUS Cross-dimensional Politico-Military dimension Economic and Environmental dimension Human dimension Arms control Border management Combating terrorism Conflict prevention and resolution Reform and cooperation in the security sector Policing Elections Gender equality Human rights Media freedom and development Combating human trafficking Democratization Education Economic activities Environmental activities Good governance Minority rights Roma and Sinti Rule of law Tolerance and non-discrimination 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%). The OSCE s budget for 2015 was MILLION EUROS: 42% GERMANY regularly provides up to was used for the SECRETARIAT and the other institutions and 58% for FIELD OPERATIONS. 10% of the members of OSCE ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSIONS - more than 3,600 people since German observers are recruited and trained by the Center for International Peace Operations (ZIF). Since its creation, ODIHR has deployed more than 44,000 short-term observers in over 300 OSCE election observation missions in 56 participating States.

5 THE OSCE WORLD OSCE participating States OSCE Partners for Co-operation OSCE field operations International staff German staff Start One of the first missions was deployed to SKOPJE in It is still active on the ground. The OSCE participating States cover MILLION KM² and are home to around 1.2 BILLION people. MONGOLIA is the most recent of the 57 PARTICIPATING STATES to join the OSCE (since 2012). BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA MONTENEGRO RUSSIA UKRAINE * ARMENIA MOLDOVA SERBIA KOSOVO ALBANIA THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA KAZAKHSTAN UZBEKISTAN TURKMENISTAN KYRGYZSTAN TAJIKISTAN * Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine

6 GLOSSARY ANNUAL SECURITY REVIEW CONFERENCE An annual meeting of the OSCE and its participating States to promote dialogue and exchange with relevant international and regional organizations on topics that include arms control as well as confidence- and security-building measures. ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM The highest-level annual OSCE meeting addressing economic and environmental issues, with more than 400 representatives from governments, civil society, business and international organizations. Its key tasks are to stimulate political debate and prepare recommendations on issues such as energy security, migration and good governance. ELECTION OBSERVATION The 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 longterm election observers verify the compliance of participating 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. HUMAN DIMENSION IMPLEMENTATION MEETING Annual meeting bringing together government officials, international experts and civil society representatives to assess how participating States are implementing their commitments in the human dimension. OSCE FIELD OPERATIONS The 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 obligations, 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 facilitate inter-parliamentary dialogue and involve national parliaments 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-OPERATION The OSCE has six Partners for Co-operation in the Mediterranean region (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia) 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 directly 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 Design: Kirsti Maula, Lufu Design, Printed by: Königsdruck Berlin Sources: ( Nov. 2015); OSCE Annual Report 2014; 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.