News

On 4 February in Vilnius, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas received heads of the working groups of former Belgian, Slovenian and Finnish Chairmanships of the Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE). During the meeting with Slovenia’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Boris Frlec, head of the OSCE Secretary General’s Office Paul Fritsch, head of the Permanent Mission of Finland to the OSCE Antti Turunen and head of the OSCE Section of Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thierry Vuylsteke, issues of Lithuania’s preparations to chair the OSCE were discussed. Heads of the OSCE working groups exchanged their experience of the chairmanship of this organization.

“It is very important for the OSCE to remain active in the prevention and monitoring of conflicts in South Caucasus and Moldova, to continue strengthening principles of the rule of law and respect for human rights and tolerance,” said Minister V.Ušackas.

According to V.Ušackas, Lithuania is going to seek these goals also during its future OSCE Chairmanship in 2011.

“A long-lasting Lithuania’s experience in the area of regional cooperation of the Baltic Sea states, constructive relations with neighbours, contacts with leaders of other regions and joint initiatives will also create some value added that will enrich the OSCE. Lithuania will use the accumulated experience also for its EU Presidency in 2013,” said V.Ušackas.

Minister of Foreign Affairs informed representatives from Slovenia, Belgium and Finland about Lithuania’s preparations to chair the OSCE, the structures that are being formed and the events that are planned.

Minister V.Ušackas indicated that the summer session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is organised this summer in Vilnius. During this session, new security challenges will be discussed. It is going to be an important event of international parliamentary diplomacy.

On 2-4 February, consultations of Lithuania, Slovenia, Belgium and Finland on the issues of the OSCE Chairmanship are held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Lithuania is to chair the OSCE in 2011.