The Republic of Serbia has been a member of the OSCE (www.osce.org) since 10 November 2000. At the meeting of the Ministerial Council of the OSCE in Vienna, on 27 November 2000, by signing the basic documents of the OSCE (the Helsinki Final Act, the Paris Charter, the Istanbul Document), Serbia has accepted all the norms, standards and commitments arising from these documents.

The Republic of Serbia has a Permanent Mission to the OSCE in Vienna (www.osce-vienna.mfa.gov.rs) and actively participates in the Organization's activities in all three dimensions – the politico-military, the economic and environmental, and the human dimension, as well as in the work of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.

In 2015, Serbia chaired the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, taking over the Chairmanship-in-Office from Switzerland and transferring it to Germany in 2016.

Serbia's Chairmanship-in-Office was an exceedingly complex task in the context of present-day circumstances in the international arena, where the OSCE has played a special role in the resolution of the crisis in Ukraine.

Serbia's Chairmanship has been estimated as successful by all of the 57 Participating States and 11 Partners for Co-operation. Having this great opportunity to chair an international organization contributed to the promotion of our country's position and reputation at international level.

The Chairmanship-in-Office was brought to an end by holding the OSCE Ministerial Council in Belgrade, which took place in the Belgrade "Arena" on 3-4 December 2015. The OSCE Ministerial Council Meeting was opened by Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and included participation of 44 delegations at the Ministerial level. The Meeting adopted six decisions: the Ministerial Declaration on Reinforcing OSCE Efforts to Counter Terrorism in the Wake of Recent Terrorist Attacks; Ministerial Declaration on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Lead to Terrorism; Declaration on the OSCE Activities in Support of Global Efforts in Tackling the World Drug Problem; Declaration on Youth and Security; Ministerial Statement on the Negotiations on the Trans-Dniestrian Settlement Process in the "5+2" Format; and the Decision on Time and Place of the Next Meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Hamburg, on 8-9 December 2016.

As a country on the path towards European integration, Serbia is dedicated to the cooperation with the OSCE, especially regarding the process of reforms and achieving high standards of democracy, reconciliation in the region and resolving other issues. Serbia has been making these efforts through partnership and successful cooperation, primarily, with the two OSCE missions in its territory – the OSCE Mission to Serbia and the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, as well as with other missions in the region.

The OSCE Mission to Serbia (OMIS) was established on 11 January 2001. Activities of the Mission are carried out in partnership with state authorities of the Republic of Serbia, focusing on four programme areas: 1) rule of law and human rights; 2) police reform; 3) democratization; 4) media development. The Mission has played an advisory role in the elaboration and implementation of laws, reform strategies and Action Plans, supported the strengthening of democratic institutions, encouraged dialogue at national and regional levels concerning refugees and displaced persons, and also supported the promotion of regional cooperation and reconciliation. The OSCE Mission to Serbia has cooperated closely with independent institutions and the non-governmental sector in the country.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo (OMIK) was established on 1 July 1999 as the 3rd pillar of international presence in Kosovo and Metohija, under UNSC Resolution 1244. This mission contributes, in a status neutral way and through the cooperation with other international organizations and institutions, to the development of a multi-ethnic democratic society aiming for the exercise of human rights, institution building and the promotion of democracy. The Mission carries out its activities through three main programme areas: 1. Human Rights and Communities; 2. Democratization; 3. Security and Public Safety. This Mission is the second largest OSCE field presence.