OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation under Germany’s Chairmanship will focus on dialogue, transparency and confidence-building

VIENNA, 9 September 2020 – Only a real dialogue will help promote politico-military co-operation and regain lost confidence and rebuild trust, said Germany’s Deputy Foreign Minister Niels Annen as he opened Germany’s Chairmanship of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) today.

Addressing representatives of the OSCE participating States from Berlin via video teleconference, Annen said: “The noticeable erosion of the European security order through a series of conflicts - I say this not least with a view to the annexation of Crimea by Russia and the conflict in eastern Ukraine - have a direct impact on the work of the FSC. Trust is the most important asset in the OSCE - but it is disappearing day by day.”

Recalling the 45th anniversary of the OSCE’s landmark document, the Helsinki Final Act marked last month, Deputy Minister Annen noted: “45 years ago in Helsinki we were brought together by the shared knowledge that co-operation is better than confrontation. That co-operation means more security for us all.”

Referring to the German FSC Chair’s work programme he said that topics for security dialogues will include small arms and light weapons (SALW), UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, the modernization of the Vienna Document and new technologies such as artificial intelligence.

The first security dialogue will be devoted to the fight against illegal use of small arms and light weapons, said Deputy Foreign Minister Annen recalling that the OSCE Document on Small Arms and Light Weapons celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year.

“With its normative specifications for the handling of illegal small arms and light weapons and stocks of conventional ammunition, the OSCE is doing real pioneering work”, he said reminding that the illegal use of small arms kills nearly a million people and injures an even greater number worldwide each year.

The security dialogue on new technologies and their military applications will focus on discussions about new threat perceptions generated by them.

Making the link between the current state of the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security and how it is being put into practice at the national level in the OSCE participating States will be another important topic for Germany’s FSC Chair, as the resolution marks its 20th year anniversary.

Deputy Foreign Minister Annen also noted the importance of continuing the Structured Dialogue saying that for a number of countries, including Germany, a revitalization of arms control and confidence-building measures is a particular focus.

“In the context of the Structured Dialogue, we spoke in ten meetings about measures for more transparency, risk reduction and prevention of military incidents, about threat perceptions, stability and its politico-military requirements. We want to continue this dialogue. We appeal to all participating States to understand the Structured Dialogue as a valuable and unique forum for exchange,” he concluded.

The Chairmanship of the Forum for Security Co-operation rotates three times a year. It takes the lead in setting the agenda for each meeting of the Forum and brings attention to issues concerning the implementation of commitments adopted by the Forum.