On 21 November 1990, CSCE (later OSCE) leaders adopted the Charter of Paris for a New Europe.
What happened
- It formalised a “whole and free” Europe grounded in democracy, rights and cooperation.
- It reinforced Helsinki principles: sovereignty, territorial integrity, peaceful dispute settlement.
- It strengthened CSCE/OSCE tools for cooperative security and crisis management.
Why it matters
- A cornerstone of Europe’s post–Cold War architecture, legitimising freedom of alignment.
- A reference point when the order is challenged by spheres‑of‑influence logic.
Key point
It frames Europe as an order of rules and sovereign choice. Its erosion signals the return of power politics.