(FSC.DEC/9/96)

The participating States of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE):

- concluding that a new work programme is required for the FSC,

- building on the document entitled "A Framework for Arms Control",

have decided that the FSC should, as a matter of priority, address the following issues:

I. IMPLEMENTATION OF AGREED ARMS CONTROL MEASURES

The participating States agree to continue to pursue full implementation, in both letter and spirit, of all existing arms control measures and confidence- and security-building measures (CSBMs) agreed upon by the OSCE, with a view to further strengthening confidence, security and stability in the OSCE area. Specific attention will be given to the implementation of the Code of Conduct on politico-military aspects of security, including consideration of a follow-up conference. The FSC will continue its assessment of the implementation of agreed measures by using the established procedures.

The FSC will consider the possible provision of assistance requested by participating States with regard to implementation. This will draw upon the resources volunteered by the participating States and on the existing resources and experience of the Conflict Prevention Centre.

II. REGIONAL MEASURES

Recognizing the challenges presented as well as the opportunities offered by situations in specific regions, the participating States may, within the FSC and on an informal and open-ended basis, address regional issues and explore possibilities for enhanced co-operation. This will be based on the initiative and interest of a participating State (or of States) in the region concerned. The participating States may also address regional issues in direct response to instability within, or threatening to expand into, a region of the OSCE area. In particular, the FSC may look at ways at making more effective use of its decision on "Stabilizing Measures for Localized Crisis Situations".

Such initiatives may address measures tailored to the region and complementary to OSCE-wide efforts, if such efforts need enhancing in order to meet the specific needs of a region. The measures may be designed to consolidate or increase transparency and predictability, to promote good-neighbourly relations in the military field, or to reduce tension. They will be an integral part of OSCE-wide commitments.

The FSC will support regional agreements which have been or are to be negotiated, either with the direct involvement of the OSCE or under its auspices.

III. DEVELOPING A WEB OF ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENTS

The participating States have undertaken, via the Framework for Arms Control, to establish a web of interlocking and mutually reinforcing agreements.

This may involve exploring ways participating States may develop, through negotiations freely entered into and on the basis of equality of rights, new arrangements to support co-operative approaches and to address security concerns and needs identified in the Framework for Arms Control. Such arrangements, which may vary in their substance and geographical scope, being OSCE-wide, regional or bilateral, will be an integral part of the web and will be consistent with each other as well as with the goals and methods set out in the Framework for Arms Control.

In accordance with its mandate, the FSC will develop its security dialogue function. The participating States will make full use of this body for regular and substantial exchanges of information on the work done and the progress made concerning separate arms control negotiations and processes (for example within the Joint Consultative Group). This procedure would allow views and concerns expressed in the FSC to be taken into consideration in the course of such negotiations and processes, bearing in mind the OSCE’s comprehensive concept of indivisible security.

IV. ENHANCING AGREED MEASURES AND DEVELOPING NEW ONES

The participating States agree to seek ways of strengthening existing arms control agreements and CSBM regimes, in particular the Vienna Document 1994, in order to increase transparency and predictability in their security relations. The FSC will also look at the prospects for promoting co-operative forms of verification and at how best to use CSBMs and other arms control instruments in preventive diplomacy, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation.

The FSC will consider further efforts to develop Norm- and Standard-Setting Measures (NSSMs), such as the Code of Conduct on politico-military aspects of security, the Guidelines Governing Conventional Arms Transfers and the Principles Governing Non-Proliferation, as well as the possibility of the adoption of new NSSMs.

In conformity with the risks and challenges set out in the Framework for Arms Control, the FSC will study the possible development of new measures. A list of suggestions advanced to date by one or more of the participating States is contained in the Annex.

The participating States will consider:

- the introduction of greater efficiency into the working methods of the FSC;

The participating States of the OSCE have further decided that the FSC will report at the next meeting of the Ministerial Council on progress made and on which specific items the FSC has decided to take forward within the agenda.

ANNEX TO "DEVELOPMENT OF THE AGENDA OF THE FORUM FOR SECURITY CO-OPERATION

Bearing in mind concerns expressed by certain participating States, the following non-consensual suggestions have been advanced by one or more participating States.

- Extension of CSBMs to naval activities

- Exchange of information on internal security forces

- Measures concerning the stationing of armed forces

- Co-operation in defence conversion

Any further suggestions to be made will be in line with the rules and procedures of the FSC.