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Field operations lie at the core of OSCE activities. The OSCE is present in 18 states in South-Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, employing over 3000 seconded officials. OSCE missions differ in the number of staff employed, their mandate and tasks, but they all pursue the same goals: peace and stability in the region, promotion of civil society, democracy and rule of law, police training, freedom of the media, establishment of market economies, election observing missions and education of local inhabitants. In pursuing the above objectives, field missions cooperate with local authorities and non-governmental organizations, as well as with other international organizations present in the region. The decision on setting up a field mission is adopted by the Permanent Council in agreement with the host state. The mandate period is usually six to twelve months with the possibility of extension. Members of the missions are seconded by OSCE participating States, while the Head of the Mission is appointed by the Chairman-in-Office.
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