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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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 announced 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 Continue to read
May 2016
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Foreign Minister Dr. Steinmeier 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’s 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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News from German OSCE Chairmanship 2016
April 2016
Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law
At the 18th Franco-German Council of Ministers on 7 April 2016, Germany and France announced the launch of an annual Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law
Statement by Foreign Minister Dr. Steinmeier on the launch of this initiative.
“In order to improve the protection of Human Rights Worldwide, we need brave and active individuals who denounce shortcomings in their countries and stand up for these rights. We want to honour the work of these women and men, who demonstrate great civic courage and face significant personal risks as a result of their commitment, by awarding the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
We will award this prize on Human Rights Day (10 December) each year to between ten and fifteen individuals worldwide in the places where they live and work. This means that the prize will have an impact where human rights are at risk and where those who fight for human rights and the rule of law need our support.” April 8, 2016 © Federal Foreign Office
News from Germany’s OSCE Chairmanship 2016
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 in the Future of 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 in person 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 ©The OSCE
Official Documents:
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 ©The OSCE
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
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