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Photo: OSCE
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.
NATO and the OSCE maintain a political dialogue at various levels which allows them to consult one another on matters of an operational and geographic nature.
Geographically, the two organisations place special emphasis on Southeastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia. Each has also separately developed matching initiatives aimed at the Mediterranean Region countries.
At the operational level, NATO and the OSCE cooperate in the area of the control of small-calibre arms and light weapons. NATO initiatives involving reform of the defence sector, such as arms control, mine clearance and the elimination of stocks of ammunition, dovetail with OSCE efforts aimed at preventing conflict and restoring stability after a conflict.
Political relations between NATO and the OSCE are governed today by the "Platform for Co-operative Security", which was launched by the OSCE in 1999 at the Istanbul Summit. Via the Platform, the OSCE called upon the international organisations whose members adhere to its principles and commitments, to reinforce their cooperation and to draw upon the resources of the international community in order to restore democracy, prosperity and stability in Europe and beyond. Since the Platform was adopted, experts from both NATO and the OSCE meet regularly to discuss operational and political issues of common interest.
Practical co-operation between the OSCE and NATO is best exemplified by the complementary missions undertaken by both organisations in the Balkans.
In 1996, further to the Dayton Agreements and the adoption of Resolution 1031 of the United Nations Security Council in December 1995, NATO and the OSCE developed a joint action programme in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The NATO-led Implementation Force (IFOR) and its successor SFOR have provided vital support for implementation of the civilian aspects of the Peace Agreements. NATO assisted the OSCE in its work in the area of arms control and confidence and security-building measures in Bosnia-Herzegovina. By providing security for OSCE personnel and humanitarian assistance, NATO has, inter alia, contributed to the proper conduct of elections under OSCE auspices.
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 Resolution 1244 of the United Nations Security Council in June 1999, a new OSCE Mission to Kosovo has been established as part of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). It is tasked, among other things, with supervising the progress of democratization, the creation of institutions, and the protection of human rights. The OSCE Mission to Kosovo maintains close relations with KFOR, which has a mandate from the United Nations to guarantee a safe environment for the work of the international community.
NATO has also co-operated closely with the OSCE in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 1. Although the safety and security of international monitors remain primarily the responsibility of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, a NATO task force was set up in September 2001 in order to provide additional security. The European Union officially took over this operation, renamed Concordia, from March 2003.
