The Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) was a diplomatic initiative that began in 1973 and concluded in 1994. It aimed to improve relations between the Eastern and Western blocs during the Cold War. The conference focused on security, economic cooperation, and human rights, culminating in the establishment of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The CSCE brought together 35 participating states, including major powers like the United States, Soviet Union, and various European nations. Its final act, the Helsinki Final Act of 1975, laid the groundwork for future cooperation and dialogue in Europe, promoting peace and stability.