Switzerland has had a Permanent Delegation to the OSCE since 1993. It is linked to the Permanent Representation of Switzerland to the United Nations and to the Other International Organizations in Vienna and has the administrative support of the Swiss Embassy in Austria. The Head of the Delegation is assisted by diplomatic as well as administrative staff for his duties within the OSCE, and also by a military adviser.

The Swiss Delegation deals with a number of aspects of the OSCE’s activities within its three dimensions and has accepted various special mandates.

The Delegation reports regularly to the Directorate of Political Affairs of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), from which it receives the necessary instructions. On military questions, a similar exchange of information and instructions takes place between the delegation in Vienna and the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports (DDPS). The Swiss Delegation coordinates with the Group of Like-Minded Countries (Canada, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), for exchanges of information and joint decisions on political positions. In addition, weekly meetings are held between the Group of Like-Minded Countries and delegations from the EU, Russia and the USA.

Benjamin Grossmann-Hensel visits the UN in Vienna ©BGH

As a special prize at „Swiss talent forum” Benjamin Grossman-Hensel (19) won an internship at the Swiss OSCE delegation. Here he tells us about his impressions of the meetings at the Permanent Council.