  Audronius Azubalis: resolution of protracted conflicts is among Lithuanian OSCE Chairmanship priorities  January 13, 2011 - 18:16 AMTPanARMENIAN.Net - The new OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Azubalis, urged the Organization's participating States to focus on resolving existing conflicts and achieving concrete progress in addressing transnational threats and safeguarding fundamental freedoms in his inaugural address to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna. Azubalis, speaking on the 20th anniversary of events in Vilnius which led to Lithuania’s independence from the Soviet Union, said: “Our courage was met with solidarity across the OSCE area. Lithuania was backed by peaceful rallies in Kyiv, Warsaw, Moscow, Washington and Stockholm, by civil society and governments of most OSCE participating States.” “Over the past 20 years the OSCE participating States have made great progress individually and collectively. Twenty years later problems remain, and we still face challenges, but progress is undeniable.” “What we did then, we must be able to do now in the remaining unresolved disputes,” he added. “This is not just a matter for the Chairmanship. It is a matter for us all. Resolving existing conflicts in the OSCE area in a peaceful and negotiated manner must be our highest commitment.” He said the Chairmanship would push for a resumption of formal “5+2” negotiations on Moldova, use the Geneva process to rebuild trust and work to restore a meaningful OSCE presence in Georgia; and support greater engagement by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs to re-energize political negotiations over Nagorno-Karabakh. Azubalis presented the 2011 Lithuanian Chairmanship’s work programme. Priorities of the Lithuanian Chairmanship outlined in the work programme include contributing to progress in the resolution of protracted conflicts, enhancing efforts to tackle transnational treats in the OSCE area, advancing freedom of the media, promoting tolerance through education, developing common principles in the field of energy security and promoting sub-regional co-operation, OSCE website reported.   Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot".   Partner news |  Topic Latest news Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia  Idram Junior also joined the companies during the visit, bringing with it a fascinating intellectual game for childrenMoscow slams EU mission in Armenia for “provocative activity” The EU mission is doing more and more against Armenia’s neighbors Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran, Mikhail Galuzin said.Yerevan Mayor to travel to Paris on May 15-19 The official delegation headed by Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan will travel to Paris from May 15 to 19.Armenia, India hold first defense consultations The meeting was attended by Indian Ambassador Nilakshi Saha Sinha and Defense Attaché Brigadier General Naveen Nijhawan. |
