Common problems need common solutions
Profile
An Italian career diplomat with extensive experience in south-eastern Europe, Ambassador Sannino was appointed Head of the OSCE Mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on 17 January 2001. He has now assumed a new post in Brussels as diplomatic adviser to European Commission President Romano Prodi.
What distinguishes the OSCE from other organizations?
The OSCE is not a particularly rich organization; we do not bring huge programmes of economic assistance. But we do come in with a substantial human presence - people who are capable of resolving certain situations.
I think the OSCE is much more adaptable than some other organizations, and it also has a certain skill in using its resources and in linking with other local actors.
What changes would you like to see in the way the OSCE operates?
I would like to see a more consensual approach in working with other international organizations, not only in the field, which very often happens, but also at the level of headquarters.
Also, the Organization should be able to provide more guidance at regional level. We should bear in mind that all these regions, be it south-eastern Europe, the Caucasus or Central Asia, have common problems that need to be approached in a common way. We need to create a minimum connectivity among these countries; they are not islands separated from one another by a large ocean.
Some commentators argue that the OSCE has outlived its usefulness.
I don't think that is true. We have managed in several areas to play a very relevant role. Our Organization has this character of co-operative security, of working together with and considering its partners, including countries that still have difficulties on the path towards democratization or political stability.
I cannot speak for everybody, but certainly as far as Yugoslavia is concerned, the role that we have played in southern Serbia in supporting the prevention of the conflict has been crucial.
How do you see the future of the Mission?
In the months ahead, I would like to see the development of a pact for justice, based on a co-ordinated approach between the judiciary, prosecutors and police; a pact on parliamentary reform, so that parliamentary procedure, parliamentary control, a code of conduct and election laws are brought into line with international standards; and a pact to fight all forms of crime and corruption, which means more than adopting relevant legislation, but also fostering respect for the State and its institutions.
What advice would you give to the incoming head of an OSCE Mission?
Essentially, try not to go to the host country with any preconceived ideas. Try to make it clear that the Organization is there to work with them and to create a partnership. As in every partnership, in difficult or in critical moments you can also tell your partner that maybe they are going in the wrong direction, that maybe they should take a different approach on certain issues.
The enterprise should be a common one: at the end of the day, we all want to gain. It's a sort of win-win approach, there is no winner and no loser in this game.
An Italian career diplomat with extensive experience in south-eastern Europe, Ambassador Sannino was appointed Head of the OSCE Mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on 17 January 2001. He has now assumed a new post in Brussels as diplomatic adviser to European Commission President Romano Prodi.
What distinguishes the OSCE from other organizations?
The OSCE is not a particularly rich organization; we do not bring huge programmes of economic assistance. But we do come in with a substantial human presence - people who are capable of resolving certain situations.
I think the OSCE is much more adaptable than some other organizations, and it also has a certain skill in using its resources and in linking with other local actors.
What changes would you like to see in the way the OSCE operates?
I would like to see a more consensual approach in working with other international organizations, not only in the field, which very often happens, but also at the level of headquarters.
Also, the Organization should be able to provide more guidance at regional level. We should bear in mind that all these regions, be it south-eastern Europe, the Caucasus or Central Asia, have common problems that need to be approached in a common way. We need to create a minimum connectivity among these countries; they are not islands separated from one another by a large ocean.
Some commentators argue that the OSCE has outlived its usefulness.
I don't think that is true. We have managed in several areas to play a very relevant role. Our Organization has this character of co-operative security, of working together with and considering its partners, including countries that still have difficulties on the path towards democratization or political stability.
I cannot speak for everybody, but certainly as far as Yugoslavia is concerned, the role that we have played in southern Serbia in supporting the prevention of the conflict has been crucial.
How do you see the future of the Mission?
In the months ahead, I would like to see the development of a pact for justice, based on a co-ordinated approach between the judiciary, prosecutors and police; a pact on parliamentary reform, so that parliamentary procedure, parliamentary control, a code of conduct and election laws are brought into line with international standards; and a pact to fight all forms of crime and corruption, which means more than adopting relevant legislation, but also fostering respect for the State and its institutions.
What advice would you give to the incoming head of an OSCE Mission?
Essentially, try not to go to the host country with any preconceived ideas. Try to make it clear that the Organization is there to work with them and to create a partnership. As in every partnership, in difficult or in critical moments you can also tell your partner that maybe they are going in the wrong direction, that maybe they should take a different approach on certain issues.
The enterprise should be a common one: at the end of the day, we all want to gain. It's a sort of win-win approach, there is no winner and no loser in this game.