OSCE, EU discuss protracted conflicts

PanARMENIAN.Net - The foreign ministers of Lithuania, Kazakhstan and Ireland – representing the 2011, the 2010 and the 2012 OSCE Chairmanships respectively – and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, discussed OSCE-EU co-operation during a meeting on 18 July 2011 in Brussels.

"The OSCE and the EU share values and the vision of a peaceful, stable and prosperous region where human rights and the rule of law are respected," said the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Azubalis, who chaired the meeting. "By co-operating, we ensure that our limited resources are used optimally."

The three ministers and Ashton discussed preparations for the OSCE Ministerial Council, to be held in 6-7 December in Vilnius, Lithuania, and Azubalis welcomed Ashton's plan to take part. Also on the agenda were efforts to resolve protracted conflicts in the OSCE area, the human rights situation in Belarus and discussions about how the OSCE, upon request of the partners concerned, could support the democratic processes in Southern Mediterranean. The OSCE Secretary General, Lamberto Zannier, took part in the meeting.

EU-OSCE meetings are held regularly. The EU's 27 member countries make up almost half of the OSCE's 56 participating States, OSCE official website reported.