On Friday 22 June, the European Union established a cooperation framework between the European Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Secretariat of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), autonomous institutions and field operations.
High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini therefore moved ahead to an exchange of letters with OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger.
In concrete terms, the new framework, "will set up regular consultations on all levels, designed to maximise efficient and effective cooperation in areas of common interest, to engage on common priorities, to exchange best practice, and to create synergies between EU and OSCE projects in the European neighbourhood, enlargement regions, Central Asia and Afghanistan", according to the EEAS press release.
This enhanced cooperation will cover all areas of the OSCE's work – conflict prevention, mediation and cross-border cooperation, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, promotion of the rule of law and democracy, and strengthening states' resilience to transnational threats.
The EU notably contributes with more than two thirds of the OSCE's main budget. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)