How to reach new common vision of European security?

The high-level Panel was officially launched by  Swiss initiative and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Swiss Foreign Minister in close co-operation with the incoming chairs Serbia and Germany, in order to prepare advices related to reconsolidation of European security as common project. During the discussion in Basel, participants agreed that the Panel was established in the moment when events in Ukraine showed the importance of OSCE European security architecture, emphasizing that every security architecture needs to be founded on principles. During discussion, the need for the Panel to come up with both short and long-term recommendations was emphasized, as well as that they need to be included in political processes. Also, the importance of consultations and openess to different actors included in European security was noted. In her remarks, BCSP Director Sonja Stojanović Gajić reminded that the Panel’s composition should reflect the geographical diversity of the OSCE and include neutral actors.

This Panel will prepare the basis for an inclusive and constructive security dialogue across the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian regions, reflect on how to re-build trust to enhance peace and security in Europe and ensure effective adherence to the Helsinki Principles Guiding Relations between Participating States, examine perceived threats in the OSCE area and explore common responses and Analyze the particular role of the OSCE in this context, as well as its role in preventing and resolving crises in the OSCE area.

The Panel will seek input from participating States, the OSCE Institutions, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, multilateral actors concerned with European security issues, civil society, think tanks, and other relevant actors through hearings, commissioning of papers, and other forms of activities. Its task is to prepare two reports: an Interim Report, in particular on lessons learned for the OSCE from its engagement in Ukraine and a Final Report on the broader issues of security in Europe and the OSCE area at large, as outlined above. Both reports should contain recommendations on action points for policy makers. More about the mandate here.

OSCE Secretary General, Lamberto Zannier, highlighted the valuable contribution the OSCE Network of Think Tanks and Academic Institutions could bring to the Panel’s research.