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Vienna, 25 June 2025 –
Opening the Annual Security Review Conference (ASRC) in Vienna today, OSCE Secretary General Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu called for renewed commitment to dialogue and co-operation, warning that military deterrence alone cannot safeguard security across the OSCE region.
Speaking to senior officials and representatives from the 57 OSCE participating States, Sinirlioğlu described the ASRC as a cornerstone of the organization’s politico-military dimension, particularly amid rising global tensions.
“Security cannot — and will not — be guaranteed by military deterrence alone,” he said. “It should be ensured through co-operation too, and that requires dialogue.”
The two-day conference serves as a platform for evaluating current security threats and reviewing progress made in promoting peace and stability. Topics include arms control, confidence-building measures, conflict prevention, and the role of multilateral engagement.
Upholding International Norms
Sinirlioğlu also voiced concern over the erosion of international norms and principles:
“The breaking of fundamental norms and principles is the biggest challenge in front of us today. This cannot become the new normal. Once rules do not matter to some, they won’t matter for anyone. And that becomes a problem for everyone.”
Purpose of the ASRC
The ASRC is one of the OSCE’s flagship events, enabling governments to exchange information, assess security dynamics, and coordinate with international and regional organizations. It plays a critical role in maintaining transparency, fostering trust, and enhancing dialogue between states.
The Secretary General’s remarks reflect the OSCE’s broader push to reinforce rules-based security through inclusive diplomacy, at a time when several conflicts and geopolitical divides continue to test multilateral institutions across Europe and Eurasia.
