News

                                        On 29 January in Vilnius, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas met with President of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly Joao Soares and Secretary General Spencer Oliver. Minister V.Ušackas stressed the significance of the parliamentary diplomacy and parliamentarism in the OSCE space. The Minister highlighted the political input of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly into withdrawing of the troops of the U.S.S.R. from the Baltic States in 1991-1994.

Head of the Lithuanian diplomacy also welcomed the decision of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to organise a summer session on 29 June - 3 July 2009 in Vilnius. The main topic of the summer session is “The OSCE: How to face the new security challenges”.

The Minister and the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly exchanged their opinions on the security situation in the OSCE space, discussed possibilities of resolution of continuing conflicts in Georgia and Moldova and organisation of the OSCE Election Observation Missions. Speaking about the OSCE Election Observation Mission to Georgia, Minister V.Ušackas voiced Lithuania’s position to continue this mission. The Minister also accentuated that it was important to ensure permanent activities of the OSCE Representation in Georgia.

During the meeting, a lot of attention was also dedicated to preparation for the Lithuanian OSCE Chairmanship in 2011. Minister of Foreign Affairs presented Lithuania’s activities in this sphere.

“This is one of Lithuania’s diplomacy priorities, for which we are already starting to get seriously prepared,” said V.Ušackas.