Germany’s 
commitment 
to the OSCE

Mr Erler, it is the responsibility of the OSCE to work for security, stability and the protection of human rights. In view of the recent attacks in Paris, however, they seem to be threatened – above all, by international terrorism. What are the consequences of this for the organ­isation’s work?

The threat from international terrorism has undoubtedly reached a new level. The series of attacks in Paris, the destruction of a Russian passenger aircraft over the Sinai Peninsular and the attacks in Ankara and Beirut present enormous challenges for the international community. We must therefore aim to strengthen the capabil­ities of all 57 OSCE participating states to deal with terrorist threats while simultan­eously observing the rule of law and ­human rights. The German OSCE Chairmanship will continue the work of the Swiss and Serbian Chairmanships in this area. However, we can only overcome these symptoms on a lasting basis if we also tackle the causes of terrorist threats.

In addition to the dangers of inter­national terrorism, the OSCE is also confronted by many other crossborder threats – for example, in the digital domain. How must the OSCE develop in order to better counter these future challenges?

Transnational threats are growing and call for increased cooperation between all OSCE participating states. This applies first and foremost to international terrorism, but also to threats such as ­organised crime, the illegal drug trade and the fields of cybercrime and human trafficking. As the world’s largest re­gional security organisation, the OSCE offers space for worldwide security pol­icy ­dialogue – from Vancouver to Vladi­vostok. We should take the opportunity to find common answers to transnational threats.

In his speech to the Permanent Council of the OSCE in Vienna in July 2015, ­Federal Foreign Minister Steinmeier ­referred to the spirit of the Helsinki ­Final Act and the vision of a “Europe of trust and cooperation”. Can the OSCE effectively promote trust in the midst of a refugee crisis?

Trust can only be created and maintained by open and continuous dialogue. We need the OSCE as a forum for dialogue and cooperation – especially in times of crisis. Despite the many problems, we are united by a common interest in combating the causes of flight and improving border management in the OSCE region. However, we must also combat the increase in intolerance, discrimination and xenophobia that we can see in many places. Bearing in the mind the long-term challenges of present developments with regard to refugees and migration, these topics will play an even greater role in the future. We must therefore also attempt to strengthen the OSCE in this area.

The conference with the OSCE Medi­terranean partners, which was held in ­Jordan in October 2015, has provided significant impetus for closer cooperation. This partnership is more import­ant than ever before, especially when it comes to understanding the origin of present developments and finding an answer 
to the urgent questions of the causes, consequences and problems of flight and migration. At the OSCE ­Mediterranean Conference, we identified topics of cooperation besides questions such as radicalisation, terrorism and migration. They include inter- and ­intra-religious dialogue, for example. We want to continue this dialogue in 2016.

How would Germany like to strengthen dialogue within the OSCE?

The current crisis demonstrates how important it is not to let dialogue between the participating states cease despite the conflict in Ukraine and the Russian annexation of Crimea. We will continue to name participating states’ violations of OSCE principles and commitments. At the same time, we must maintain and use the existing communication channels between participating states. Following on from the so-called Helsinki+40 process, in the course of 2016 the German Chairmanship intends to sound out the willingness of OSCE participating states to revitalise dialogue on long-term questions of pan-European security. It will certainly take time to rebuild lost trust. Nevertheless, we should also include difficult issues in our discussions. This applies especially to the key historical subjects of the CSCE process: confidence- and security-building measures and arms control.

Does the OSCE still have special potential as an intermediary for dialogue with the Russian Federation?

The European security architecture has been damaged to the core by the Russian annexation of Crimea and the eastern Ukraine. It is therefore right and necessary to condemn this action. Nevertheless, I am convinced that there is no alternative to dialogue. Complete and lasting security in Europe was and will continue to be impossible without Russia. We will not be returning to “business as usual” here in the near future. Nevertheless, we should use the OSCE as a forum for dialogue and make the best possible use of its broad range of instruments in the field of conflict prevention, conflict regu­lation and conflict solution.

What does the Ukraine crisis mean for the international standing of the OSCE?

In Ukraine, the OSCE demonstrated that it can respond swiftly and effectively to crisis situations. For example, in a very short period of time it set up the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM), which is playing a central role in solving the crisis in and around Ukraine. This task could not have been taken on by any other ­international body. That is why we must further strengthen the crisis resolution and conflict management capabilities of the OSCE. In relation to the lessons of the Ukraine crisis, the Panel of Eminent ­Persons led by Ambassador Wolfgang ­Ischinger has compiled a list of import­ant recommendations that we should consider in our discussions within the OSCE.

What possibilities does Germany have to build new trust within the framework of the OSCE?

Germany’s central role in the Ukraine talks has shown that we are willing to assume responsibility. Diplomacy is needed not only in Ukraine, but also in what are known as the “frozen conflicts” in the southern Caucasus and the Western Balkans. The German Chairmanship will actively support and assist the existing OSCE negotiation formats for the conflicts on Nagorno-Karabakh and Transnistria as well as the Geneva talks on Georgia. Germany has already supported these formats in the past with targeted initiatives. We will continue using this approach. At the same time, we should be aware that success depends primarily on the political will of the conflict parties as well as pan-European developments.

How are you planning to strengthen OSCE crisis management?

Crisis and conflict management are core competences of the OSCE that have not only needed strengthening since the advent of the Ukraine crisis. Of paramount importance here is the strengthening of the OSCE during the different stages of the so-called conflict cycle. We want to improve the operational capabilities of the OSCE – from early warning and conflict prevention to acute crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation. I see great potential here in the development of new possibilities, especially also in the field of mediation and mediation support.

Which other areas will you be focusing on?

In 2016 we will be paying especial attention to the so-called human dimension of the OSCE, the area of human rights and fundamental freedoms. In Germany’s view, compliance with obligations in the human dimension is of the greatest significance for sustainable security and stability in the OSCE region. What we consider especially important here are issues that have a direct link with the present crisis in the European security architecture. This includes efforts for tolerance and against discrimination, the protection of freedom of the media and active support for the rights of minorities. We must clearly identify existing deficits and, despite every readiness to participate in dialogue, must not allow a relativisation, let alone a dismantling, of ­obligations in this area. Alongside this, under the overall heading of “sustainable connectivity”, we also wish not only to strengthen cooperation on economic and environmental subjects, but also ­remove obs­tacles to cooperation. Past decades have shown that solid and ­sustainable economic development is one of the decisive preconditions for the security, stability and well-being of societies.

Recently, partners outside Europe have become more significant for the OSCE. Why is this dialogue import­ant?

One major goal of these partnerships is to compare the common features and differences of regional security architecture, to exchange views and learn from one another. In 2015, a conference of the Asia partnership was held under Swiss chairmanship in Seoul on the subject of Changing Global Security Envir­onment and Visions of Multilateral ­Security Co-operation in Asia. Import­ant themes were identified here that we wish to examine more deeply. This year’s conference with our Mediterranean partners in Amman also provided an important impetus for dealing with current challenges such as refugees, migration and terrorism. Although the main focus of the OSCE will naturally remain on Europe, in an age of globalisation the big security policy questions can only be dealt with in a global context. Most of today’s problems demand global answers, multilateral dialogue and learning from one another. The OSCE has always cultivated this dialogue and for that very ­reason can assume an important role in international exchange. ▪

Interview: Johannes Göbel