OSCE Experience in CSBMs Lessons Learnt

First Confidence and Security-Building Measures (CSBM) Breakthrough in atmosphere of mistrust and confrontation Predictability through increased openness and transparency Reduced risk of armed conflict Voluntary measures prior notification of maneuvers exchange of military observers

Second Generation of CSBMs Stockholm Document on CSBM (1986) Obligatory prior notifications of military activities Lower notification thresholds Annual calendars for planned military activities Constraining provision prohibiting activities > 40,000 troops unless notified Verification by on-site inspection

Third Generation of CSBMs Adoption of the Vienna Document 1990 (VD-90) Limitations of Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE Treaty 1990) Negotiations on an “Open Skies regime” Evolution of politically binding measures into legal obligations Expansion of transparency Beginning of arms reductions

Vienna Document 1990 Information on military forces, structure, deployment, peacetime strength, major weapons and equipment systems, down to the regiment level Planned deployments of major weapon systems Annual military budgets Receive obligatory evaluation visit annually One airbase visit every five years Communications Network for military information exchange Annual Implementation Assessment Meeting

Development of CSBMs Revision of CSBM: VD-92, VD-94, VD-99 and VD 11 Lower thresholds for notification (9,000 troops) and observation (12,000 troops) of military activity Information exchange on non-active forces Constraining provisions Risk reduction, invitation to dispel concerns over military activity Regular high level seminars on military doctrines Regional CSBMs Extension of the CSBM zone of application to Central Asia

Regional CSBMs mission FI SE RU EE LV LI BY PL UA SK MD HU RO SI BA HR GE SCG BG MK AL TU GR

Additional CSBMs Defence Planning (1993) Principles Governing Conventional Arms Transfers (1993) Stabilizing Measures for Localized Crisis Situations (1993) Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security (1994) Global Exchange of Military Information (1994) Principles Governing Non-Proliferation (1994) Document on Small Arms Light Weapons (2000) Document on Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition (2003)

Institutional Framework OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) - facilitates and monitors implementation of CSBMs - supports FSC in its work OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) negotiates, implements and develops CSBMs contributes to conflict prevention and crisis management

Results of CSBM Implementation Increased transparency of military activity Reduced tensions between States Providing confidence of other States’ intentions Importance of maintaining a high level of CSBM implementation Significantly decreased threat of major military interstate conflict

Lessons Learnt Evolutionary process Culture of dialogue and political will prerequisites Sufficient resources necessary No security guarantees Preventive measure or postconflict Door opener for disarmament Ongoing process

Possible areas for application of OSCE experience in CSBMs Creating culture of dialogue Reliable communication channels and military contacts Regional conflict prevention centre Regional codes of conduct Regional CSBMs Common transparency policy Involvement of civil society

Thank you for your attention! Maria Brandstetter OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre maria.brandstetter@osce.org