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, Istanbul 1999 and Astana 2010. Each of these events produced declarations and documents that are important milestones in the history of the Organization.

Astana, 1-2 December 2010

Astana Commemorative Declaration: Towards a Security Community

Istanbul, 18-19 November 1999

Istanbul Document 1999

Lisbon, 2-3 December 1996

Lisbon Document 1996

Budapest, 5-6 December 1994

Budapest Document 1994: Towards a Genuine Partnership in a New Era

Helsinki, 9-10 July 1992

CSCE Helsinki Document 1992: The Challenges of Change

Paris, 19-21 November 1990

Charter of Paris for a New Europe

Helsinki, 1 August 1975

Final Act