DIFFERENT TYPES OF REGIONAL SECURITY ORGANIZATION
It is possible to discern different types of regional security organization, whereby the primary purpose is to maintain the peace and security of the region involved.
One type of regional security organization finds its base in Chapter VIII of the U.N. Charter and functions as a part of the universal collective security system. An example of such a regional security organization is the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). It is the largest regional security organization in the world with 55 participating states from Europe, Central Asia and North America.
The main tasks of the OSCE are early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation.
Another type of regional security organization is based on collective self-defence, which refers to military alliances and is provided for in Article 51 of the UN Charter.
An example of such an alliance is the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. The fundamental commitment of all members of the Alliance to each other's security is enshrined in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which states that an attack against one member country is considered as an attack against all. The integrated military structure and common defence planning procedures of the NATO bolster this commitment to collective defence.
A parallel alliance was created on the other side of the former Iron Curtain, namely the Warsaw Pact.
Article 4 of the Warsaw Security Pact states that:
"In the event of armed attack in Europe on one or more of the Parties to the Treaty by any state or group of states, each of the Parties to the Treaty, in the exercise of its right to individual or collective self-defence in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations Organization, shall immediately, either individually or in agreement with other Parties to the Treaty, come to the assistance of the state or states attacked with all such means as it deems necessary, including armed force. The Parties to the Treaty shall immediately consult concerning the necessary measures to be taken by them jointly in order to restore and maintain international peace and security."
Both organizations were created after the World War II: the North Atlantic Treaty was signed in 1948, whereas the signing of the Warsaw Security Pact took place in 1955. Both alliances were in fact at the service of the global powers.
The alliance type of regional security integration is a clear example of the politico-military interpretation of the security concept during the greater part of the Cold War.
Following the collapse of the former Soviet Union, the move to political independence and the establishment of democratic regimes among the former member countries, the Warsaw pact was dissolved in 1991.
Yet another type of regional security organisation is driven by the interest of the member-states. The enhancement of the security and welfare of the participants through cooperation and collective action is the central focal point of this type of regional security integration. It is as well this kind of regional security integration arrangement, which is now acquiring standing.
An example of security integration is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
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