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Event | 13 November 2024

Annual meeting of the Expert Network on the OSCE 11-12 November

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From 11-12 November 2024, the European Leadership Network (ELN), as a Core Partner to the Expert Network on the OSCE, brought eight members of the ELN’s contingent of OSCE Expert Network to Vienna for their Annual Meeting.

This event brought together experts from the Core Partner organisations of the OSCE Expert Network. The Expert Network aims to serve as a point for consultation and dialogue on the cross-dimensional issues of the OSCE, connecting the OSCE, the policy planning communities in the capitals, and the expert communities.

The ELN was proud to have played an active role in the proceedings. Former ELN Policy Fellow and member of the ELN’s OSCE Expert Network, Katia Glod, moderated the Second Panel of the conference, which also featured Loic Simonet (Austrian Institute for International Affairs), Darko Gjorgjioski (Prespa Institute), and Susan Stewart (SWP), as panellists. This panel explored the OSCE’s regional presence, particularly in Eastern and Southeastern Europe, focussing on its work on developing civil society, fostering cooperation between states, and mitigating potential conflict flare-ups.

The ELN also ran its own panel event, moderated by ELN Policy and Impact Director Jane Kinninmont, featuring Katia Glod, Ilana Bet-El (ELN Senior Associate Fellow), Marc Perin de Brichambaut (former Secretary General of the OSCE and ELN OSCE Expert Network member), and Valeriia Gergiieva (YGLN member and Visiting Research Fellow at the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy (IFSH) at the University of Hamburg).

The ELN’s panel, “Assessing the OSCE’s Toolbox for Conflicts”, explored the mechanisms and tools available to the OSCE for addressing conflicts. Much of the discussion was predicated on an upcoming research report by Katia Glod on this topic, drawing on interviews and consultations with current and former practitioners, desk research, and examination of a variety of case studies.

The panellists noted that the OSCE’s toolbox has been underutilised, especially in recent years, and with the appropriate political will, more tools could be used to strengthen regional security. For example, the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities could be used to work on issues such as human trafficking, likewise, the OSCE’s work on Small Arms could be useful in approaches to emerging disruptive technologies.

The strength of the OSCE’s fieldwork and missions was highlighted in contrast to the issues with achieving tangible results stemming from the OSCE’s revolving-door bureaucracy and consensus-decision-making structures. Panellists called for a “back to basics” approach and for the OSCE to more clearly focus on security, as opposed to emulating the work of the UN or the EU.

The necessity of informal dialogues between diplomats and officials, “coffee room chats” was emphasised at length by multiple panellists.

The distrust felt by many Ukrainians towards the OSCE following the failure of the Minsk agreements, and the need for better public diplomacy to restore confidence, was a core part of the discussion. Panellists and the audience discussed the necessity for the OSCE to get ahead of the curve and start planning for its mid/post-conflict role in Ukraine.

Besides the panel discussions organised by the OSCE, the ELN’s delegation also had the pleasure of a reception at the Finnish Ambassador to the OSCE’s residence alongside other Core Partners and various officials from member states.

Related content

Policy brief

From crisis to strategy: The OSCE and arms control in a divided Europe

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the OSCE has faced a deep crisis. Russia and Belarus have violated key norms of the 1975 Helsinki Final Act, undermining the OSCE’s role in crisis management. Alexander Graef argues that breaking the impasse requires decisive political leadership and multi-level diplomacy. He also argues that growing military activities in Europe highlight the need for military-to-military contacts for managing escalation risks, in which the OSCE can facilitate necessary dialogues and support future monitoring activities as it has in the past.

Report

Assessing the OSCE Toolbox: Opportunities for a safer Europe

For nearly 50 years, the OSCE has developed a toolbox to address security challenges across wider Europe. However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has dismantled Europe’s existing security architecture, rendering many OSCE tools ineffective. Former ELN Policy Fellow Katia Glod argues that in spite of this, a resurgence of political commitment could reinvigorate the OSCE’s tools, enabling them to be adapted to current challenges. This report recommends concrete actions to be undertaken by the OSCE to improve the efficacy of its toolbox.

Commentary

It’s time to use the OSCE

As European leaders prepare a peace plan for Ukraine, ELN Policy and Impact Director Jane Kinninmont and Dr Loïc Simonet argue that they should draw on the OSCE, as the organisation that helped manage risks and offer communication channels during the Cold War, and which includes Russia along with Ukraine.