The Clash of Narratives Between the West and Russia

Germany has become the Chair of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2016. The author analyses the launch speech of the German chairmanship given by German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on the 14 January 2016 in which he said that his theme would be 'Renewing dialogue, rebuilding trust and restoring security'.

In his OSCE speech, Steinmeier referred to the Panel of Eminent Persons that was set up during 2015 to consider what could be done to strengthen European security and improve relations between the West and Russia. This has recently reported its finding, although the authors were divided between a Western and Russian narrative

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: How to talk with Russia http://www.europeansources.info/record/how-to-talk-with-russia/

OSCE: Events, 14.01.16: OSCE Chairperson-in-Office addresses Permanent Council in Vienna http://www.osce.org/cio/212506

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 04.02.16: Europe and Russia: Five Statements, Five Questions http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=62669

ESO: Background information: Back to diplomacy. Final Report and Recommendations of the Panel of Eminent Persons on European Security as a Common Project, November 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/back-to-diplomacy-final-report-and-recommendations-of-the-panel-of-eminent-persons-on-european-security-as-a-common-project-november-2015/

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