Germany’s Chairmanship in Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe ‘OSCE’ 2016
On January first 2016 Germany assumed the Chairmanship of the Organization for Security Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and is now responsible for steering the Organization safely through the stormy tides of crises and challenges in 2016. This is the second time that Germany has headed the world’s largest Regional Security Organisation, the previous time was in 1991.
Germany’s Chairmanship focuses on the following areas:
•Continuing conflict-crisis management in and around Ukraine and in the other unresolved conflicts in the OSCE area;
•Strengthening the OSCE’s capabilities in the entire conflict cycle, i.e. early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post‑conflict Peacebuilding;
•Strengthening the OSCE as a platform for dialogue, for instance on questions of pan‑European security, confidence‑ and security-building measures and Defence against common threats;
•Sustainable promotion of connectivity and good Governance in the OSCE area;
•Particular focus on the Human dimension to safeguard joint commitments regarding Human Rights and the fundamental Freedom. 2016 ©Federal Foreign Office
The Permanent Diplomatic Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the OSCE is in Vienna . And Federal Foreign Minister Dr.Frank-Walter Steinmeier leads the OSCE as The Chairperson-in-Office.
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December 2016
Germany’s OSCE Chairmanship of 2016
Started from January 2016 until the end of December Germany had the OSCE Chairmanship for the year of 2016.
“Renewing dialogue, rebuilding trust, restoring security”
were the pillars on which the German Foreign Office architected its policy for this occasion.
The final phase of Germany OSCE Chairmanship was concluded in December with the 23rd OSCE Ministerial Council meeting in Hamburg.
- Related References: Highlight of the OSCE Ministerial Council 2016 in Hamburg
Foreign Minister Dr. Steinmeier opens OSCE Human Rights conference
- The Evaluation of Human Rights in Germany by German Foreign Office
- Implementation of Selected OSCE Commitments on Human Rights and Democracy in Germany, by German Foreign Office
- Die Umsetzung ausgewählter OSZE-Verpflichtungen zu Menschenrechten und Demokratie in Deutschland, von Auswaertiges.Amt
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December 2016
The OSCE Ministerial Council in Hamburg on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
Protection of Human Rights Defenders is vital for the OSCE Human Rights commitments. voiced the OSCE/ODIHR Director Link December 9, 2016 © OSCE
On December 9th, on the second day of OSCE Ministerial Council in Hamburg– the special attention was given to the subject of the Human Rights Defenders.
Excerpts from the statement by Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, ODIHR:
“Human rights defenders are often the focus of threats, attacks and legal harassment simply for trying to protect the rights of society’s most vulnerable people, without discrimination,”
“I encourage OSCE participating States to seriously consider the Hamburg Declaration, which outlines many important actions to safeguard Human Rights Defenders from restrictions contrary to OSCE commitments.” December 9, 2016 © OSCE public Affairs
- Related documents: Guidelines on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
- Austria’s OSCE Chairmanship 2017
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December 2016
Germany’s OSCE Chairmanship and the Ministerial Council in Hamburg
The 23rd OSCE Ministerial Council meeting took place with the participants of 57 OSCE member States in Hamburg from December 8-9. The event was executed under Germany’s OSCE Chairmanship and the invitation of OSCE Chairperson-in office, German Foreign Minister Dr.Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
During the two days meeting, the Council declared several important final decisions including:
- OSCE’s Role in the Governance of Large Movements of Migrants and Refugees
- OSCE Efforts Related to Reducing the Risks of Conflict Stemming from the Use of Information and Communication Technologies
- Extension of the Mandate of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
The Council’s decision for the Chairmanship of 2018 went for Italy and the 2019 for Slovakia.
- Related documents: Greeting by the 2016 OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and German Foreign Minister Dr. Steinmeier
- Austria’s OSCE Chairmanship 2017
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October 2016
Germany’s OSCE Chairmanship in 2016/11
On September 19, Federal Foreign Minister Dr. Frank‑Walter Steinmeier inaugurated in Warsaw, the annual Human Dimension Implementation Meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as the Chairperson‑in‑Office of the organisation.
The Human Dimension Implementation Meeting is the largest Human Rights conference in Europe. It has been held annually since 1993 which brings together a large number of participants, comprising OSCE participating states and partners, representatives of international organisations and members of civil society. Described by German Federal Foreign Office, September 19, 2016
Additional by Federal Foreign Office: Human Rights Defenders under pressure
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June 2016
The German OSCE Chairmanship on Counter-Terrorism-2
Under the Leadership of Germany’s OSCE Chairmanship, the OSCE-wide Counter-Terrorism Conference on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization took place in Berlin, from 31 May – 1. June 2016.
Watch the opening Session of the Conference, speaking of H.E Foreign Minister Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, H.E Interior Minister Dr. Thomas de Maizière, and H.E OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier, May 31, 2016.
May 2016
The German OSCE Chairmanship on Counter-Terrorism-1
Germany’s OSCE Chairmanship, the Foreign Office and Federal Ministry of the Interior to host a Counter-Terrorism Conference in Berlin from 31 May- 1 June 2016
The announcement by Spokesperson of the German OSCE Chairmanship on May 26 indicates:
“OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Foreign Minister of Germany Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Minister of Interior Dr. Thomas de Maizière, and OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier are to open a two-day OSCE–wide Counter-Terrorism Conference in Berlin on 31 May 2016, which will bring together more than 300 experts from across the OSCE region.” May 26, 2016 © the Spokesperson of the German OSCE Chairmanship view the announcement
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May 2016
Germany’s OSCE Chairmanship and its stance on ‘World Press Freedom Day’
Statement by OSCE Chairperson- in-Office Foreign Minister Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier on May 3rd The World Press Freedom Day:
“Today, we pay tribute to journalists worldwide who brave violence, persecution and intimidation to record and report the truth.
Free, independent media are an indispensable cornerstone of free and democratic societies. The OSCE has a crucial role to play in setting and upholding common standards to promote this principle.
Times of conflict are, unfortunately, also times of propaganda and of distorted images. That is why as OSCE Chairmanship Germany is putting a special focus on freedom of the media and on how to ensure access to independent information in times of crisis.”
© Federal Foreign Office May 3, 2016
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May 2016
Germany Leadership in OSCE 2016
2016 ©OSCE/Jonathan Perfect
Interview mit Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Amtierender Vorsitzender der OSZE
Entretien avec Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Président en exercice de l’OSCE
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April 2016
Germany’s OSCE Leadership on recent ceasefire violations in Eastern Ukraine
In reaction to the current violation of ceasefire in Eastern Ukraine and the growing incidents involving OSCE Monitors, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, German Foreign Minister Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed his concern by stating:
“The SMM is a civilian, unarmed mission. It is instrumental for supporting the implementation of the ceasefire. The safety and security of SMM monitors must be assured by the sides. Those responsible for threatening or using force against the monitors must be held accountable.” Berlin 27 April 2016 © Germany‘s OSCE Chairmanship 2016/Federal Foreign Office Continue to read
Additional news from Germany OSCE Chairmanship:
Briefing by the OSCE Chairperson-in-office Foreign Minister Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the UN Security Council, 7635th meeting Feb, 29, 2016
April 2016
Germany’s Leadership on the Future of the OSCE
“The Future of the OSCE” was the focus of a two‑day conference hosted by the German 2016 OSCE Chairmanship in the Federal Foreign Office on 6 and 7 April in cooperation with the ZEIT‑Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius. The almost 60 participants from more than 25 OSCE participating States were welcomed by Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. April 8, 2016 © Federal Foreign Office
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March 2016
The Head of OSCE, Foreign Minister Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, during a press conference, Vienna, 14 January 2016© OSCE
Official Documents:
February 2016
Briefing by the OSCE Chairperson-in-office Foreign Minister Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the UN Security Council, 7635th meeting Feb, 29, 2016
February 2016
The mandate of the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) was extended for one more year until March 31, 2017.
Approving the extended mandate the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Germany’s Foreign Minister Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier elaborated:
“We have thereby ensured that the SMM can continue to perform and enlarge its important role in stabilizing the ceasefire in implementation of the Minsk accords.” February 18, 2016 © OSCE
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