News

On 6 December Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antanas Valionis in his speech to the 13th Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Ljubljana underlined that the future success of the OSCE depends on abilities to maintain and develop this organization while responding to challenges of today and tomorrow.

Foreign minister marked the necessity to strengthen the organization’s effectiveness, and reminded that the political will of the OSCE states and their readiness to act are the most important.

“Conflict resolution is at the core of the OSCE work. The organization has to reinforce its role in settlement of unresolved conflicts and be helpful in raising awareness of other international actors with a view to using their comparative advantage,” the Head of Lithuanian diplomacy said.

Minister Valionis welcomed the start of the EU Border Assistance Mission in Moldova and Ukraine and the progress achieved so far with regard to withdrawal of Russian troops from Georgia. The Minister also emphasised that early fulfilment by Russia of all its 1999 Istanbul Summit commitments with regard to Georgia and Moldova would highly contribute to the settlement of the long-lasting conflicts.

According to the Foreign Minister the process of free and fair elections is vital to the development and consolidation of democracy in every country. The Minister reminded that in 2006 a series of elections would be held in the OSCE area, including in the ones Belarus and called the OSCE states to support the election observation in conformity with OSCE commitments.

“A comprehensive and cross-dimensional approach to security remains a clear asset of our organization. Regional cooperation fosters greater political cohesion within the OSCE area, facilitates practical cooperation in such areas as human rights, democracy, and rule of law, as well as economic development, environmental and management of borders. Lithuania’s last year’s offer to serve as Chairmanship of the OSCE in 2010 is clear testimony to the high value we attach to this organization and conveys our genuine confidence in its future,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister stated.

During the OSCE Ministerial Council Foreign Minister Valionis met with his Kazakh counterpart Kasymzhomart Tokaev and discussed bilateral relations, economic and cultural cooperation.