Abstract

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) who’s origins date back in the 1970s and is the world’s biggest organization for regional security is very little known today. It is facing a series of challenges which might weaken it and question its “raison d’être”. Above all, the so-called “protracted” conflicts threaten the internal security and divide OSCE states. Eleven years after the last summit Kazakhstan, currently assuming the rotating presidency of the organization held a summit in Astana on 1 and 2 December. OSCE Heads of States and Governments and top diplomats came together in order to strengthen the confidence building process and step towards a renewal of the organization – an ambitious aim that does not seem to have been reached.

Keywords : OSCE, Astana Summit, protracted conflicts, action plan, security community.