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OSCE Experience in CSBMs Lessons Learnt

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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 measuresprior notification of maneuvers exchange of military observers

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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

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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

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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

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Development of CSBMsRevision of CSBM: VD-92, VD-94, VD-99 and VD 11Lower thresholds for notification (9,000 troops) and

observation (12,000 troops) of military activity Information exchange on non-active forcesConstraining provisionsRisk reduction, invitation to dispel concerns over

military activityRegular high level seminars on military doctrinesRegional CSBMsExtension of the CSBM zone of application to Central

Asia

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mission SEFI

EE

LV

RU

BY

UA

PL

SK

HURO

MD

HRBA

SCGBG

ALMK

GR

TU

GE

SI

LI

Regional CSBMs

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)

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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

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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

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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

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Possible areas for application of OSCEexperience 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

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Thank you for your attention!

Maria Brandstetter

OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre

maria.brandstetter@osce.org