The U.S. Mission to the OSCE

The United States Mission to the OSCE consists of a multi-agency team with more than thirty staff members from the Department of State and the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as the joint Congressional/Executive Branch Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe ("Helsinki Commission").

The Mission coordinates with the rotating OSCE Chairmanship-in-Office and the OSCE's Secretariat, negotiates with the other national delegations in Vienna, and works closely with U.S. embassies and the OSCE field presences situated throughout the Balkans and the former Soviet Union.

Within the OSCE, the Mission represents the United States in the Permanent Council, the Organization's principal policy-making body, as well as in the Forum for Security Cooperation (FSC). The Mission also monitors implementation of the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty in the Joint Consultative Group (JCG), and represents the U.S. in the Open Skies Consultative Commission (OSCC).

The United States supports the work of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). ODIHR’s election observation methodology remains the standard for election monitoring around the world. The U.S. also supports ODIHR’s programs that increase transparency in the democratic process, encourage the rule of law, and develop a democratic culture by facilitating participation in the policy-making process.