New structures and institutions of the CSCE Process
Our common efforts to consolidate respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law, to strengthen peace and to promote unity in Europe require a new quality of political dialogue and co-operation and thus development of the structures of the CSCE.
The intensification of our consultations at all levels is of prime importance in shaping our future relations. To this end, we decide on the following:
We, the Heads of State or Government, shall meet next time in Helsinki on the occasion of the CSCE Follow-up Meeting 1992. Thereafter, we will meet on the occasion of subsequent follow-up meetings.
Our Ministers for Foreign Affairs will meet, as a Council, regularly and at least once a year. These meetings will provide the central forum for political consultations within the CSCE process. The Council will consider issues relevant to the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe and take appropriate decisions.
The first meeting of the Council will take place in Berlin.
A Committee of Senior Officials will prepare the meetings of the Council and carry out its decisions. The Committee will review current issues and may take appropriate decisions, including in the form of recommendations to the Council.
Additional meetings of the representatives of the participating States may be agreed upon to discuss questions of urgent concern.
The Council will examine the development of provisions for convening meetings of the Committee of Senior Officials in emergency situations. Meetings of other Ministers may also be agreed by the participating States. In order to provide administrative support for these consultations we establish a Secretariat in Prague.
Follow-up meetings of the participating States will be held, as a rule, every two years to allow the participating States to take stock of developments, review the implementation of their commitments and consider further steps in the CSCE process.
We decide to create a Conflict Prevention Centre in Vienna to assist the Council in reducing the risk of conflict.
We decide to establish an Office for Free Elections in Warsaw to facilitate contacts and the exchange of information on elections within participating States.
Recognizing the important role parliamentarians can play in the CSCE process, we call for greater parliamentary involvement in the CSCE, in particular through the creation of a CSCE parliamentary assembly, involving members of parliaments from all participating States. To this end, we urge that contacts be pursued at parliamentary level to discuss the field of activities, working methods and rules of procedure of such a CSCE parliamentary structure, drawing on existing experience and work already undertaken in this field.
We ask our Ministers for Foreign Affairs to review this matter on the occasion of their first meeting as a Council.
10
!
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.