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Distinguished Chairman,
Excellencies, dear participants,

May I convey my appreciation to Minister Kanat Saudabayev and Minister Ahmet Davotuğlu for their invitation to this special event and for their extraordinary  hospitality. I take special delight in the idea of the dialogue between two organizations – OSCE and CICA.

Regional and sub-regional co-operation is a vital part of building long term stability and prosperity. Various bodies can reinforce each other, foster greater integration and confidence. In 1999 the Heads of States of the OSCE participating states adopted in Istanbul the Platform for Co-operative Security. Its potential has not been exhausted. 

In 2011 under auspices of the OSCE Chairmanship, Lithuania considers holding a special meeting of regional and sub-regional organizations. It may form a part of the dialogue on Pan-European and Eurasian security to share best practices in cooperation in transport, energy security, cooperation which leads to reconciliation, wherein an important role is being played by various bodies and institutions concerned with the promotion of comprehensive security. I could see the CICA as a partner with the strong vision and capabilities.

This July in Almaty OSCE foreign ministers will embark upon defining parameters for continuing dialogue on European security. Streamlining the Corfu process and integrating discussions and ideas into a common OSCE working process will be essential.

The ministers may also pave the way for substantial agenda of a possible OSCE Summit. I am confident of the ability of the Kazakh OSCE Chairmanship to develop a sound agenda that will enable the Summit to take place already this year.

An opportunity for a substantial summit must not be wasted. I strongly believe that the Summit should re-confirm our commitment to OSCE norms and principles, mark progress on conflict prevention and resolution, and lead towards an OSCE +. More so, the OSCE cannot remain on the sidelines in the Central Asia as concerns cross-dimensional security issues. Gathering trans-national threats imply a strong imperative for closer OSCE’s engagement with Afghanistan. An effective strategy needs to be formulated, enabling the OSCE to assist Afghanistan and Central Asian states to address terrorism and extremism, trafficking in human beings, as well as trafficking in drugs and illicit weapons. 

Looking beyond the Summit, into 2011, I believe that a co-ordinated and effective OSCE strategy should be implemented in relation to combating trans-national threats. The need to comprehensively address cyber security appears to gather consensus. While transport security and transport corridors development will remain important to a number of states, in particular for land locked countries, it is energy security that cannot be overlooked. Confidence building measures, protection of critical infrastructure, energy reliability and sustainability need to be addressed in order to maintain and develop energy dialogue between OSCE states and beyond. The OSCE will remain strong in its flagship activities in the human dimension. Promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms, democratisation and the rule of law, conducting free and fair elections, safeguarding media freedom and pluralism, tackling critical issues of tolerance and non-discrimination in the OSCE area will remain important.

In all these activities next year we will look for ways of strengthening co-ordination with the UN, EU, regional organizations, including in Asia, and OSCE Partners for Co-operation. I believe that tapping regional expertise is crucial, in particularly, if we were to build on effective prevention and early warning policies. Lithuania will continue the Kazakh policy to involve OSCE Partners for Co-operation in all OSCE discussions.

Thank you for attention.