NATO - OSCE

The two international Organisations cooperate in areas in which they fulfil complementary functions, such as conflict prevention and crisis management.

This relationship reflects the desire on the part of the Alliance, as expressed in the NATO's Strategic Concept, to set up co-operative relationships with organisations that are mutually reinforcing, including the OSCE.

What does this mean in practice?

Cooperation between NATO and the OSCE takes place both at the political and “real-world” operations level, as demonstrated by the dialogue and cooperation “in the field” to bring stability to the Balkans.

How did it evolve?

In order to best address today's complex security challenges, NATO has continued to develop co-operation with the OSCE in the areas of conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict reconstruction operations as well as to expand their dialogue to other areas of common interests, including terrorism.

Which bodies play a central role in implementing this policy?

Co-operation involves various categories of players, be it high-level meetings between the Secretary General of NATO and the Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE, thematic meetings between Secretariat members or meetings between representatives of organisations in the field.