implementation and further development of the concept contained in Security Council Resolution 1894 (2009), which was initiated by Austria and concerns the protection of civilians in armed conflicts. This also applies to the issue of women and children in armed conflicts. Austria will continue its active military contributions within the framework of the UN, and maintain and develop its particular commitment to peacekeeping and peace-building operations. In the future, the forces deployed in UN peacekeeping operations will meet with increasing demands concerning robustness, power, equipment and training. 3.4.2.2 As a NATO partner It is in the interests of Austria’s security to play a role in the development of security policies, both through its involvement in NATO PfP and as a member of the EAPC. The evolution of new instruments for dealing with the new challenges within the framework of NATO will be constantly monitored as well as assessed and Austria will seize the opportunities to participate in suitable activities open to partners. Austria will continue to take part in non-Article 5 operations which are open to partners and fall within Austria’s foreign and security interests. 3.4.2.3 OSCE Being the host state of the OSCE, Austria will do its best to promote the OSCE’s continued development as a multi-dimensional security organisation. Austria will continue to be actively involved in all of the OSCE’s consultations and field missions. It will also support efforts to enhance its profile in security issues “in the area from Vancouver to Vladivostok”. This also extends to the “Corfu Process”, the common European security architecture, and the organisation’s efforts to enhance its role as a platform for exchange with other security organisations. 3.4.2.4 Participation in missions The following are the primary criteria for participation in the international organisations’ missions and operations in accordance with Article 23j of the Federal Constitutional Law of Austria and the Federal Constitutional Law of Austria on Cooperation and Solidarity in the Deployment of Units and Individuals Abroad • • • • • • • the extent to which the particular situation affects the security of Austria; European solidarity and the importance of the respective activity for the security of the EU or Europe; international solidarity and the importance of the respective activity for global security; the impact participation will have in terms of Austria’s position in the organisation in question; the geographical location of the mission in question; the availability of suitable Austrian forces in the civil and military sectors; the financial burdens resulting from participation. Due to its geo-political position and the degree to which its security is affected and in light of its expertise and networks, Austrian priorities will continue to lie first and foremost with missions in South-East and Eastern Europe as well as in the Middle East. In line with international developments, activities in these areas must be adapted and, if necessary, extended: for example from the Balkans to the Danube and Black Sea regions, or from the Golan Heights to other parts of the Middle East or North Africa. 15