Seminar on defence policies and military doctrines concludes in Vienna

VIENNA, 28 January 1998 - Some 350 representatives from the Armed Forces of 54 OSCE States gathered in the Hofburg Congress Centre from 26 to 28 January for the third OSCE seminar on Defence Policies and Military Doctrines. Heads of Delegations included over 30 Chiefs of Staff. Representatives from NATO, the CIS and the WEU were also present. The purpose of the seminar was to exchange views on military issues related to European security and thereby to promote openness and build trust among the military of OSCE countries.

The broad topics for the seminar - Evolution of the European Security Environment and its Influence on Defence Policies and Military Doctrines; Defence Policies, Military Doctrines: International Aspects; and Reform or Restructuring of the Armed Forces - brought about lively discussions on adapting European military thinking to new post-Cold War opportunities and challenges.

Many keynote speakers acknowledged new risks and challenges to European security. In adapting to these risks and challenges, internal reform of the military was considered necessary just as addressing collective and co-operative security responsibility was important. There was general agreement that common security interests needed to be further defined, since regional and intra-state conflicts are increasingly of concern to all of OSCE States.

Participants acknowledged that Europe-wide military co-operation has been successfully developing. One delegation termed it "an era of partnership." The multinational peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina was cited as well as the establishment of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council at NATO, the Founding Act between NATO and Russia, the Charter between NATO and Ukraine and the Partnership for Peace program. Participants considered it essential to continue to enhance the linkage between security organizations such as the UN, NATO, the OSCE, and the EU/WEU, which play a decisive role in shaping Europe's security.

Participants viewed the seminar as a useful contribution to national efforts to adapt their military establishment and to give impetus to multilateral negotiations within the framework of the OSCE. An idea was launched to make these seminars regular, taking place under OSCE auspices every three to four years.

Keynote speeches are available by request. For mailing or faxing of selected speeches, please contact Ms. Florence Le Clezio at the Press Office, tel. (+43-1) 514 36 180.