Enhancing co-operation between OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation & Permanent Council in preventing and countering terrorism focus of Vienna meeting

VIENNA, 27 February 2020 – Enhancing co-operation between the OSCE’s Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) and the Permanent Council (PC) in preventing and countering terrorism was the focus of a joint meeting of the FSC and PC held on 26 February in Vienna under Turkey’s FSC Chairmanship and Albania’s OSCE Chairmanship. The discussions focused on how the FSC, as the OSCE’s leading decision-making body in the politico-military sphere, can contribute, in line with its mandate and existing instruments, to the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to combating terrorism.

“As a country which has been fighting terrorism for decades, it is of utmost significance for Turkey to discuss how we can further OSCE’s efforts and co-operation among the participating States in countering terrorism,” said Chairperson of the FSC and Permanent Representative of Turkey to the OSCE Ambassador Rauf Engin Soysal as he opened the meeting.

Deputy Minister of Interior of Albania, Romina Kuko, was the first invited speaker to address the representatives of the OSCE’s 57 participating States.

“Within the existing mandate of the FSC, there are focused areas in which the military sphere can support the wider security sector effort against terrorism at home,” she said. “I would identify three areas: firstly, in addressing the challenge posed by small arms and light weapons; secondly, in contributing to the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; and thirdly, through the Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security.”

Director General for Research and Security Affairs at Turkey’s Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Aylin Taşhan, drew attention to her country’s concerns in a changing security environment.

“Turkey’s geographical proximity to the conflict zone is the number one factor that should be considered in assessing Turkey's efforts to fight against terrorist organizations.  In particular, in the last six years, the regional security environment has changed considerably,” she said. “The rise of racist, extreme right wing terrorism is another source of concern for Turkey.”

OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger elaborated on the OSCE’s mandate and work in countering and preventing terrorism, emphasizing the need for a “whole-of-society” approach to counter this phenomenon.

“Terrorist activity in today’s world is complex, multi-faceted and not confined to national borders. This reality requires a comprehensive, nuanced and internationally coordinated response,” he said. “The roles established under the mandates of the PC and FSC respectively have evolved over the years. Discussions today between participating States on where this evolution will take us next, are timely, and will help us to determine OSCE’s future engagement in global counter-terrorism activities.”

Colonel Kadir Özyürek, presented the work of the NATO Centre of Excellence - Defense Against Terrorism (COE-DAT), which is based in Ankara, and conducts training and capacity-building courses, among other things.

“The primary role is to support transformation activities in the Alliance, and help the Alliance adapt to newly emerging threats,” he said. “Most Centres of Excellence operate at the operational and tactical levels. However, the COE-DAT conducts activities at the operational and strategic levels.”