2018年-查塔姆研究所_Is_the_OSCE_Relevant_in_the_21st_Century_7页_104kb

OSCE Relevance in the 21st Century: Summary

Core Content

H.E. Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, the Secretary General of the OSCE, delivered a speech on 7 April 2011, addressing the question: Is the OSCE relevant in the 21st century? His response was a resounding 'yes,' emphasizing the Organization's continued importance despite evolving global dynamics.

Main Points

1. Relevance of the OSCE's Historical Mission

• The OSCE's original mission, rooted in the Helsinki Final Act (1975), aimed to establish a rules-based international order across Europe and Eurasia.
• The Paris Charter (1990) sought to create a "new era of democracy, peace and unity", but these remain aspirations, not yet realized.
• At the Astana Summit (2010), OSCE heads of state reaffirmed the vision of a "free, democratic, common and indivisible Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian security community", highlighting the unfinished business in achieving this goal.

2. Unique Structure and Inclusiveness

• The OSCE is not a supra-national governing body or a military alliance, but a multidimensional and comprehensive organization.
• It brings together 56 participating States, including Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, and others, as equals, based on freely agreed commitments.
• This inclusiveness is unparalleled in the Euro-Atlantic security architecture, offering a cultural diversity that other organizations lack.
• The OSCE has developed unique institutions such as the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the High Commissioner on National Minorities, which are not replicated elsewhere.

3. Role in Democratic Transitions and Conflict Resolution

• The OSCE has extensive experience in supporting democratic transitions and conflict resolution in its participating states.
• Its field operations in regions like Southeast Europe, Central Asia, and the South Caucasus provide concrete support where the EU may be less engaged.
• The Moscow Mechanism, a tool for addressing serious threats to human rights, has been triggered seven times, including recently in Belarus, showing the OSCE's capacity for action even in the absence of consensus.

4. Challenges and Opportunities

• The OSCE is no longer the engine of democratic transformation or the instrument of détente it once was.
• However, it remains a platform for dialogue and negotiation, particularly in protracted conflicts such as Nagorno-Karabakh, where it plays a leading role.
• The Corfu Process (2009) and the Astana Summit (2010) were initiatives to re-engage the OSCE in the broader European security context.
• The OSCE Partnership for Co-operation aims to share norms and principles with 12 Partner countries, including Tunisia and Egypt, where democratic aspirations are rising.

Key Information

• OSCE Membership: 56 participating states, including all of Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Russia, Turkey, Ukraine.
• Core Dimensions of Security:
  • Politico-military
  • Economic-environmental
  • Human (rights, freedoms, democracy, rule of law)
• Institutions:
  • Representative on Freedom of the Media
  • High Commissioner on National Minorities
  • Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)
• Field Operations: 17 in total, with a focus on Southeast Europe, Central Asia, and the South Caucasus.
• Moscow Mechanism: A tool for addressing human rights concerns, initiated by 14 participating states in the case of Belarus.
• Astana Commemorative Declaration: A document resulting from intensive negotiations between the EU, US, and Russia, reflecting a renewed commitment to OSCE values.

Conclusion

• The OSCE remains relevant due to its unique structure, inclusive membership, and comprehensive approach to security.
• While it faces tensions and challenges, it continues to be a vital platform for dialogue, cooperation, and conflict resolution.
• Its expertise in democratic transitions and human rights is particularly valuable in regions like North Africa and the Middle East.
• The OSCE needs sustained political and financial support to fulfill its mission and maintain its relevance in the 21st century.