Closed field activities

OSCE Minsk Process and related structures (closed)

Table flags of the Russian Federation, France, the OSCE and the United States of America

OSCE Minsk Group

In 1992, the OSCE participating States agreed to convene a conference in Minsk to discuss ways to resolve the conflict over the region that was then referred to as “Nagorno Karabakh”. While this conference ultimately did not take place, it provided the name – the Minsk Process – and a framework for negotiating a settlement. The Minsk Group was created in 1992 to lead this process. From 1997 onwards, the Minsk Group was co-chaired by France, the Russian Federation, and the United States.

Personal Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office on the Conflict Dealt with by the OSCE Minsk Conference

On 10 August 1995, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office appointed a Personal Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office on the Conflict Dealt with by the OSCE Minsk Conference. This role was held by Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk of Poland between in an acting capacity from July – December 1996, and as Personal Representative from 1997 to 2024. This post remained vacant from 1 April 2024 through 30 November 2025.

In addition to representing the Chair-in-Office on all issues related to the conflict, the Personal Representative was mandated to assist the Chair in facilitating a lasting and comprehensive settlement; keep the OSCE Chair-in-Office, relevant OSCE executive structures and participating States informed of developments; and co-operate with international organizations in their related activities.

High Level Planning Group

The OSCE High Level Planning Group was created in 1994 with experts seconded from participating States. The HLPG was mandated to make recommendations to the Chair-in-Office on planning for the establishment, force structure requirements, command and control, resources, rules of engagement and other arrangements for a multinational OSCE peacekeeping force.

Closure of the OSCE Minsk Process and related structures

The OSCE Ministerial Council adopted a decision on 1 September 2025 closing the Minsk Process and its related structures following a Joint Appeal from Armenia and Azerbaijan. Following the adoption of this decision, the OSCE took steps to implement the closure of the Minsk Process and its related structures. The closure was completed on 30 November 2025.