Summits / Ministerial Councils

Meetings of Heads of State or Government of OSCE participating States set priorities and provide orientation at the highest political level.

The fundamental document of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Final Act, was adopted by the original 35 participating States at the first CSCE Summit, which took place in Helsinki from 30 July-1 August 1975.

During the next 15 years, the multilateral process initiated in Helsinki was further developed at three follow-up meetings, known as Review Conferences.

The second CSCE Summit, held in Paris in November 1990, laid the foundations of the institutionalization process. Four subsequent Summits were held in Helsinki 1992, Budapest 1994, Lisbon 1996 and Istanbul 1999. Each of these events produced declarations and documents that are important milestones in the history of the Organization.

Helsinki, 1 August 1975

Final Act

Paris, 19-21 November 1990

Charter of Paris for a New Europe

Helsinki, 9-10 July 1992

The Challenges of Change

Budapest, 5-6 December 1994

Towards a Genuine Partnership in a New Era

Lisbon, 2-3 December 1996

Lisbon Document

Istanbul, 18-19 November 1999

Charter for European Security
Istanbul Summit Declaration
Istanbul Document