Slovenia and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Slovenia’s membership
As the first international organisation that Slovenia joined after gaining independence, the OSCE is of particular importance to the country. Its OSCE accession on 24 March 1992 significantly contributed to its recognition as an independent state.
Politico-military dimension
Ensuring and enhancing international peace, security and stability in the European neighbourhood, the wider European area and the world at large is among Slovenia's foreign policy objectives. The same goal is pursued within the OSCE, whose mission is to overcome the political and military divisions in the Euro-Atlantic area and to build security through dialogue, transparency, trust and cooperation.
A number of major treaties are being implemented within the scope of the Organisation to strengthen the predictability and trust in the military field, an objective shared by Slovenia.
Economic and environmental dimension
As a green country, Slovenia engages in environmental diplomacy, taking due account of the interdependence between security, environmental, economic and development policies. In fact, according to the OSCE, the promotion of economic development and cooperation in environmental protection helps reinforce regional security and stability. Consequently, the Organisation assists countries in drafting economic and environmental policies and legislation, and in institution building.
Human dimension
Slovenia’s activities within this dimension focus on various issues such as combating human trafficking, democratisation, education, elections, gender equality, human rights, freedom of the media, and minority rights. This dimension comprises all executive structures of the Organisation: High Commissioner on National Minorities, Representative on Freedom of the Media and Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.
Slovenia regularly takes part in election observation in participating States under the responsibility of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. Such participation is regarded as a valued contribution to democratic institution building and to strengthening peace and security in the broader European region.