The politico-military dimension of the OSCE

The politico-military dimension of security comprises the following areas of activity:

• Arms control
• Defence and police reforms
• Border control
• Combating transnational threats such as terrorism
• Conflict prevention and resolution
• Secure stockpiling and destruction of small arms and light weapons
• Fight against cybercrime

The OSCE advocates a cooperative approach to security based on cooperation and dialogue. The control of conventional weapons systems and the promotion of confidence- and security-building measures (CSBMs) by the OSCE are a key part of cooperative security in Europe. The Vienna Document 2011 is the most important instrument for military confidence building in the OSCE. The OSCE plays a key role in the individual stages of the conflict cycle – early warning, conflict prevention and resolution, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation – and works closely with other international actors. 

The goal is to create a culture of transparency and predictability, and to build confidence and stability. In the politico-military dimension, Switzerland's involvement is based on two OSCE documents: the Vienna Document, which contains confidence- and security-building measures, and the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security.

Switzerland is committed to maintaining, revitalising and further developing confidence- and security-building measures and arms control instruments. Switzerland is also committed to strengthening capabilities in the conflict cycle, in particular to maintaining and, where possible, expanding institutional capabilities.