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15.6.2005
Lecture Ladies and Gentlemen, It is my great honour and pleasure to be in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and address the students of the Programme in Advanced Security Studies. I am particularly pleased that the Marshall Center has established itself as an important educational institution for participants from the entire OSCE region. The Marshall Center was established with the aim to enhance our understanding of post Cold War security threats and also highlights our determination to address them together as partners. It therefore seems appropriate for me to focus on the OSCE's role in facing new challenges to the security of wider European area. Changing security environment On 1 August, we will celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, which established the then Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. In the 1970s, the Helsinki process contributed to the development of détente between the two opposing blocks. Since then, Europe's security environment has changed substantially. Although the end of the Cold War has on the one hand reduced the danger of large-scale military conflicts or even nuclear war, we have seen on the other hand an outbreak of intra-state and regional conflicts. In security and political terms, the period after 1990 was marked by the disintegration of multinational states such as the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, accompanied by the outbreak of civil wars and ethnic conflicts. The OSCE has played an important role in resolving crisis situations. In 1997, for instance, the Organisation helped to end the civil war in Tajikistan. However, a number of conflicts have to-date remained unresolved, such as the conflicts in Transdniestria, Nagorno Karabakh, and Georgia. Our work is not yet finished. The OSCE works together with Russia and Ukraine as a mediator in five-sided negotiations on the resolution of the Transdniestria problem. The OSCE's field missions in the Caucasus also play an important role. The OSCE mission to Georgia, established in 1992, was its first field operation in the time of open conflict. Until this year, the OSCE monitors also provided control at the Russian-Georgian border and thus contributed to confidence-building between the two sides. The OSCE Minsk Group plays a key role in resolving the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia in Nagorno Karabakh. And in Kosovo, the OSCE pillar within UNMIK is responsible for the establishment of democratic institutions, promotion of human rights and the rule of law and also plays an important part in the implementation of Standards. Ladies and Gentlemen, A new aspect of the modern security environment is the asymmetric threats emerging from non-state actors. In 2003, the Maastricht Ministerial Council adopted the OSCE Strategy to Address Threats to Security and Stability in the 21st century, defining among others the following priority areas of the Organisation's activities: fight against terrorism, prevention of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and organised crime. We cannot tackle these threats solely by classic military means for providing national security; they require the cooperation of all security bodies at both national and interstate levels. The fight against terrorism has become one of the most notable areas of the Organisation's activities. In this field, the OSCE acts together with the United Nations and within the legal framework of 12 UN anti-terrorism conventions and protocols. The Organisation aims at strengthening the capacities of participating states to counter terrorist threat, particularly in exports and trade in small arms and light weapons (SALW), container security, cyber-terrorism and provision of travel document security. The fight against terrorism is connected with border security in order to prevent terrorist movement, weapons smuggling and other forms of illicit trafficking that helps financing terrorism. The gravest threat today results from linking terrorism to weapons of mass destruction; UN Security Council Resolution 1540 on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction draws attention to this, mentioning the prevention of access for non-state actors to these weapons or dangerous materials. All these areas represent market niches for the future OSCE's contribution to global security. Present-day security is a complex issue requiring a comprehensive approach. Post-conflict reconstruction is inseparably connected with the building of democratic institutions, good governance and economic development. Poverty and social inequality encourage migration flows and create fertile ground for the development of extreme ideologies and terrorism. The recent UN Secretary General's report In Larger Freedom underlines the intrinsic link between security, development and human rights. National security and human security Ever since its beginnings, the CSCE/OSCE has been aware of the complexity of modern security. Although the primary aim of the Helsinki Final Act (1975) was to develop confidence and security-building measures between the Cold War blocs and to accelerate disarmament in Europe, it also included a "basket" on cooperation in the field of economics and environment and a "basket" on human rights. The CSCE/OSCE was the first international organisation that based its action on the concept of comprehensive security, combining military security with economic dimension, environment protection and balancing the pursuit of state security with human security. After the collapse of the Iron Curtain, the OSCE outgrew its basic task as a forum for settling the tensions between the two opposing blocs. Our objective is to form a community of democracies in the OSCE region. 15 years ago, heads of states and governments of the participating states signed the Paris Charter for a New Europe, based on common values of democracy and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Building democratic institutions, ensuring the rule of law and promoting political plurality were three fundamental goals for the former communist states. In countries in transition, the OSCE plays an important role in facilitating democratic changes. In the field of human dimension, the major task is entrusted to the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). The office pays particular attention to gender equality, development of tolerance and non-discrimination. Within human rights agenda, special emphasis must be placed on minority rights, which are not merely a fundamental democratic value, but also a prerequisite for multi-ethnic co-existence. This belief has led to the establishment of the office of High Commissioner on National Minorities. The ODIHR also plays an important role with its election observation missions and through legal assistance to the participating states in drafting of their election legislation. In this field, it has developed one of the top international methodologies for monitoring the implementation of democratic election standards. OSCE field operations assisted the development of civil society and raised awareness on human rights and fundamental freedoms among people. It is therefore important that OSCE missions do not only work together with governments, but also develop relations with a network of non-governmental organisations, which provides a long-term guarantee for continuous democratic processes. Reform of the Organisation and its added value today Ladies and Gentlemen, The greatest danger for each international organisation is the loss of trust of its member states. For some time now, the Organisation has been confronted with complaints voiced by the Russian Federation and some countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States about imbalances of the three dimensions, double standards in election observation and excessive engagement of the OSCE field operations in the area "east of Vienna". Slovenia is well aware of the responsibility it has this year as the OSCE chairing country, as well as of the necessity for transparent OSCE operations and increased responsiveness of the Organisation to the needs of the participating states and their citizens. The Slovene chairmanship is based on the Triple R Agenda, with a purpose to Reform, Rebalance and Revitalise the OSCE. When Slovenia assumed the chairmanship, one of the greatest challenges was the adoption of the budget for 2005 and the working-out of a new scale of contributions. The OSCE reform depends on the regular provision of funds for our future projects. As with the UN, EU, NATO and other organisations established after the Second World War or in the times of Cold War mistrust, the OSCE also faces the necessity for reform to ensure its relevance in modern world dynamics. The greatest burden of the reform has been shouldered by the Panel of Eminent Persons, which is to present its report at the end of this month. I have no doubt that the report will establish that the Organisation is successful in preserving its added value. Recent events have certainly proven this. The OSCE and its election observation mission played an important role in ensuring democratic presidential elections in December 2004 in Ukraine. And the political transition in Central Asia remains an unfinished process. The OSCE remains active in the stabilisation of the situation in Kyrgyzstan and provides assistance in the preparations for the presidential election on 10 July. However, long-term stability depends on the state authorities and their success in ensuring the rule of law and on the training of Kyrgyz security forces. The same applies to Uzbekistan. We also actively follow the developments in the Ferghana Valley, which could become the largest crisis area in the region. The Organisation is also assuming greater responsibility for ensuring security and stability beyond the borders of the OSCE region. We share our knowledge in the fields where the OSCE yielded most tangible results, particularly with our Asian and Mediterranean partners for cooperation. In October 2004, the OSCE election observation mission participated in presidential elections in Afghanistan, which were crucial for ensuring stability and the development of democracy in the country. At the OSCE-Korea conference, the question of whether the OSCE's experience with confidence and security building measures could prove useful in resolving tensions in North-East Asia, particularly in the Korean Peninsula, was on the agenda. Finding a balance among the three OSCE dimensions is a long-term project and cannot be completed in one year. However, the strengthening of the politico-military as well as economic and environmental dimensions must not be to the detriment of the human dimension. Ensuring democratic processes and promoting human rights remain in the centre of the OSCE comprehensive security concept and the common commitment of all participating states. Under Slovenia's chairmanship, the OSCE endeavours to intensify its engagement in combating anti-semitism and other forms of intolerance, as well as to increase awareness of the issues concerning migration and integration of national minorities. EU and NATO enlargement; opportunity for closer cooperation Ladies and Gentlemen, EU and NATO enlargements in 2004 were a new historical moment for the European security architecture. But along with the enlargement, the issue of the Europe's border in the East and fear of new divisions on the continent also arose. In the collective memory of the Europeans, the East is closely linked with poverty and instability. Particularly during the Cold War, the identity of Western Europe was defined by its opposition to the East, as an area of freedom and democracy opposed to totalitarianism and suppression of human rights. The OSCE's fundamental mission is to prevent new divisions on the European continent. Despite EU and NATO enlargements and the creation of institutionalised mechanisms for cooperation between EU, NATO and the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the OSCE with its 55 participating states retains its position as the largest security forum in the northern hemisphere, which is the Organisation's main comparative advantage. Our activities are based on mutual respect, recognition of differences and seeking consensus among the participating states. We consider EU and NATO enlargements as a commitment to expand the area of security, stability and prosperity in Europe, which also provides the foundation for enhanced cooperation with the OSCE. In the 1999 Istanbul Charter for European Security, the OSCE undertook to enhance cooperation with other international organisations for the protection of common values and the achieving of common objectives. The aim of such cooperation is to take advantage of common knowledge and available resources, to increase synergies and avoid duplication among international organisations in the OSCE region. Just like any other international organisation, the OSCE has its limits. Despite its engagement to ensure security and stability, the OSCE does not have large financial resources at its disposal to ensure development assistance, which is particularly important in cases of post-conflict reconstruction. Within the OSCE region, the European Neighbourhood Policy can contribute actively to economic growth, development of market economy and the raising of standards of good governance. Furthermore, the possibilities for EU participation in resolving frozen conflicts, particularly through financial and technical assistance, have not been entirely explored. NATO's contribution is indispensable in the field of military security - be it assistance in disposing of surplus weapons and ammunition or the training of security forces in the OSCE participating states. Cooperation between both organisations is crucial for ensuring sustainable security and stability in the Western Balkans. I would also like to mention the Council of Europe. At its Warsaw Summit in May, a declaration on cooperation between the OSCE and the Council of Europe was adopted, through which we committed ourselves to closer cooperation in the joint fight against terrorism, prevention of trafficking in human beings and ensuring the protection of the rights of national minorities. Conclusion Dear Friends, Present-day security is indivisible. The world we live in is characterised by a high degree of interdependence and cross-border threats. The provision of national security depends on cooperation with other countries and particularly on the efficiency of international organisations. Effective multilateralism is of key importance in tackling current security threats, such as terrorism, organised crime and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or poverty and infectious diseases. Thank you for your attention. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about the future role of the OSCE in wider Europe. Celotno besedilo si lahko preberete tudi tukaj:
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