Czech Republic and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe was originally founded by signing the Helsinki Final Act in 1975 and it is the largest regional security platform in the world.
Within its region that covers 57 participating countries (including the Czech Republic) from Europe, Central Asia and North America, the OSCE is the primary tool for early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict reconstruction. All participating countries have equal status and decisions are taken by consensus.
OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security is reflected in the activities incorporating three areas – political security, economy and environment, and human rights. Within these areas the OSCE focuses on a wide range of topics such as arms control, confidence-building, enhancing measures, addressing long-term conflicts, human rights, democratization, rule of law, fight against human trafficking, gender equality, election monitoring, police activity, border control, combating terrorism and economic and environmental issues.
There are three OSCE institutions which fulfil the above objectives - the OSCE Office for Democracy and Human Rights (ODIHR), Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) and High Commissioner for National Minorities.
Further, the OSCE Field Missions play an important role in applying the OSCE principles. They provide assistance to their receiving countries in accordance with specific mandates and current needs.
Furthermore, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly was established in order to strengthen OSCE parliamentary activities. It comprises Parliamentary Delegations from all participating countries.
The Czech Republic fully supports the OSCE in performing its irreplaceable role in the region. By hosting the annual OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum, the Czech side manifests its continuous interest to participate in OSCE activities. Also, the Czech Republic has been consistently involved in OSCE election monitoring activities and it sends experts to OSCE field missions. The Czech Republic promotes its policy in relation to the OSCE through its Permanent Mission to the OSCE in Vienna. The Permanent Mission actively cooperates with the OSCE Chairmanship in addressing current issues and in implementing OSCE principles and commitments.
OSCE Documentation Centre in Prague
In 2015, the name of Prague Office of the OSCE Secretariat was changed to the OSCE Documentation Centre in Prague (DCiP). Changing its name is part of a plan to raise the profile of the office and change its perception among the OSCE participating countries. The Centre organizes the Prague part of the OSCE annual Economic and Environmental Forum. Also, it provides archival services and serves as a research site for the “Researchers in Residence” programme.