The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe - OSCE was instrumental for the launching of SECI, as it provided and still provides the indispensable logistical support for the initiation of the SECI activities. It provides vital technical support to the SECI Office of the Coordinator in the form of office space and technical equipment. The SECI Office moved to the OSCE Hofburg premises in Vienna on May 26, 1997. This logistic-administrative support provided the necessary preconditions for the SECI Project to come into existence. It also provided SECI with the opportunity to establish close contacts with the OSCE Missions and delegations of its participating and supporting states. SECI has actively participated in many of the seminars, conferences and forums organized by the OSCE especially those directly dealing with economic and environmental issues, such as the OSCE Office of the Coordinator for Economic and Environmental Activities - OCEEA.

Although the OSCE has a much broader policy focus based on diplomatic relations and foreign affairs cooperation within a wider European space, its decisions and regulations represent guiding principles for security and the economic development within Europe, including the South East European region covered by SECI and its activities. Following the principles and recommendations of the OSCE, especially within the area of economic development, for SECI represents bringing the relevant stakeholders from South Eastern Europe closer to wider European integration, through its specific activities.