1,000th Open Skies Treaty flight: aerial observation to build confidence
The 1,000th observation flight under the Open Skies Treaty is a perfect illustration of how openness and transparency can build confidence between nations, said Ambassador Dr. Miklós Boros of Hungary, current Chair of the Open Skies Consultative Commission. Thirty-four OSCE participating States are States Parties to the Treaty that allows them to conduct peaceful unarmed aerial observations over each other’s territory.
C-130 Hercules planes are used as Open Skies aircraft. The Open Skies Treaty allows States to overfly each others' territory with an observation aircraft. The flights can be used for conflict prevention, crisis management and to protect the environment. (USAF)
The Open Skies Treaty was negotiated under OSCE auspices, signed in 1992 and entered into force in 2002. It is the most wide-ranging international effort to date to promote openness and transparency of military forces and their activities, in order to enhance mutual understanding and trust. The Vienna-based Open Skies Consultative Commission (OSCC) is the implementing body for the Treaty, which covers a wide geographical area from Vancouver to Vladivostok.
“With the 1,000 flights carried out over the past 11 years, the Open Skies Treaty is a true success story of the joint efforts of diplomats, civilian and military experts, and the on-site personnel who have been involved in the implementation of the Treaty,” said Boros. “I am confident that even with the availability of modern communication technologies the Treaty will continue to serve its purpose of enhancing security and stability across North America, Europe and Asia.”
The Treaty co-depositaries are Canada and Hungary.
Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
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