Relations with the OSCE

NATO attaches great importance to conventional arms control and provides an essential consultative and decision-making forum for its members on all aspects of arms control and disarmament. (see more on NATO’s role in conventional arms control)

NATO and the OSCE conduct regular dialogue and meetings at all levels. These contacts include meetings between the Secretary Generals of the two organisations, meetings with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, and attendance at the OSCE Ministerial Councils and Summits. NATO civilian and military staff also regularly brief the Forum for Security Co-operation, OSCE Security Days, and other events, upon invitation, on NATO programmes, policy and plans.

Since 1998, NATO and OSCE secretariats hold regular staff talks annually. These talks provide an opportunity to deepen and further develop staff contacts, as well as to exchange views and information on security-related issues of mutual interest, such as border security, security sector reform, non-proliferation, disarmament, arms control, controlling the spread of small arms and light weapons, climate change and security, cyber security, counter-terrorism, and the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

The NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme is associated with the Environment and Security Initiative (ENVSEC), which brings together the OSCE, the Regional Environmental Center, the UN Development Programme, the UN Economic Commission for Europe and the UN Environment Programme.

Practical cooperation between the OSCE and NATO is best exemplified by the complementary missions that have been undertaken by both organisations in the Western Balkans.

Within the framework of operations conducted in the Western Balkans region, representatives from both organisations in the field have met regularly to share information and discuss various aspects of their cooperation.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

In 1996, further to the Dayton Agreements and the adoption of UNSCR 1031 in December 1995, NATO and the OSCE developed a joint action programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The NATO-led Implementation Force (IFOR) and its successor, the Stabilisation Force (SFOR), have provided vital support for the implementation of the civilian aspects of the peace agreements.

NATO assisted Bosnia and Herzegovina in support of the OSCE’s work on arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, and small arms and light weapons/mine action in the country. This includes implementation support of the Dayton Agreements and the Vienna Document. Also, by providing security for OSCE personnel and humanitarian assistance, NATO has contributed to free and fair conduct of elections under the OSCE.

Kosovo

Between January 1998 and March 1999, the OSCE mounted a Kosovo Verification Mission to monitor compliance on the ground with the Holbrooke-Milosevic cease-fire agreement. NATO conducted a parallel aerial surveillance mission. Following a deterioration in security conditions, the verification mission was forced to withdraw in March 1999.

Since the adoption of UNSCR 1244 in June 1999, a new OSCE Mission in Kosovo was established as part of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). It is tasked, among other things, with supervising the progress of democratisation, building of institutions, and protection of human rights. The mission – the largest of the OSCE’s field operations – has been maintaining close relations with the Kosovo Force (KFOR), which has a mandate from the United Nations to guarantee a safe environment for the work of the international community.

The Republic of North Macedonia

NATO pursued close cooperation with the OSCE in the country then known as the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, where a NATO Task Force provided additional security for international monitors in early 2000.

NATO and the OSCE cooperated in the management and securing of borders in the Western Balkans. At a high-level conference held in Ohrid in May 2003, five Western Balkans countries endorsed a Common Platform developed by the European Union, NATO, the OSCE and the then Stability Pact for South-East Europe aiming to enhance border security in the region. Each organisation supported those players, involved in the areas within its jurisdiction.

Cooperation in the area of border security has been extended to Central Asia, where the two organisations carry out complementary projects and programmes, as well as seek to support respective activities with expertise.

NATO cooperates with the OSCE to ensure that views and information are shared and that appropriate action can be taken more effectively in the fight against terrorism. The UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, international conventions and protocols against terrorism, together with relevant UN resolutions provide a common framework for efforts to combat terrorism.

In this context, NATO maintains close relations with the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department’s Action against Terrorism Unit and attends the annual OSCE-wide Counter-Terrorism Conference. The OSCE also attends relevant NATO meetings and contributes to NATO’s counter-terrorism education and training.

NATO recognises the disproportionate impact conflict and post-conflict situations have on women and girls, as outlined in UN Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security. NATO and its partners are committed to removing barriers for women’s participation in the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts, and in post-conflict efforts and cooperation. Moreover, NATO is committed to addressing the protection and security needs of women and girls and to the prevention of conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence.

In this context, NATO cooperates with the OSCE on the Women Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. Consultation and collaboration with international organisations, such as the OSCE, offer considerable potential for advancing this agenda.  NATO-OSCE cooperation takes place, among other things, in the framework of the Regional Acceleration of Resolution (RAR) 1325, which was established as a forum to strengthen the implementation of WPS and to share best practices among gender experts.