“We are facing new challenges to European security, in particular the territorial integrity and breaking of international law system based on sovereignty. It is necessary to maintain the role of the OSCE and the progress made so far to seek effective conflict resolution and confidence-building in the OSCE area, ” the head of Lithuanian diplomacy stressed.
On 10 September 1991, Lithuania, together with Latvia and Estonia, joined the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE), the predecessor of the OSCE, which played an important role in the Russian troop withdrawal from the Baltic States. It was the first international organization that was joined by Lithuania after the restoration of its independence.
Lithuania’s membership of the OSCE has strongly contributed to the country’s full return to the international community and helped consolidate democratic achievements of our country.
From the beginning of its OSCE membership, Lithuania became an active member of the organization and in 2011, our country undertook a significant challenge - the rotating OSCE chairmanship.
During OSCE Ministerial Council meeting held in Vilnius in 2011, decisions on the strengthening of the role of the OSCE in conflict prevention and resolution, as well as in the fight against transnational threats were taken. During the chairmanship, due to Lithuania’s efforts, the official talks were resumed in the 5+2 format aimed at resolving Moldova’s long-standing conflict. Lithuania has also actively addressed the issues of human rights and freedoms, particularly with an aim to improve the freedom of expression and safety of journalists. OSCE’s engagement in the field of energy security and the development of transport connections was also strengthened.
Lithuania currently dedicates a lot of attention to conflicts in Ukraine and Georgia, energy and cyber security, women’s rights, freedom of the media and freedom of expression. Lithuania also seeks the OSCE’s joint action to combat war propaganda, which due to Lithuania’s and other Nordic and Baltic countries efforts was included on the OSCE’s political agenda last year.
With 57 States from Europe, Central Asia and North America, the OSCE is the world’s largest regional security organization based on consensus. This year the organization is chaired by Germany.
