 Lithuanian FM Azubalis is the new acting chairman of the OSCE. |
Lithuania has taken over the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, or OSCE, and intends to focus on internal and external threats in the OSCE area, the country’s Foreign Ministry said Monday.
"We will work toward building a true security community, without dividing lines, where commitments are implemented, the use of force is unthinkable, and human rights and fundamental freedoms are fully respected," the Baltic Times quoted Audronius Azubalis, Lithuania’s foreign minister and the new acting chairman of the OSCE, as saying.
"The OSCE can do more to address old and new threats and challenges in the 21st century – both internal and those stemming from outside the OSCE area," Azubalis said, highlighting cyber security and the trafficking of people and drugs as examples of transnational threats affecting all of the OSCE.
Stressing Lithuania's intention of actively focusing on human rights issues during its chairmanship of the organization, Azubalis said, “In the OSCE, human rights and fundamental freedoms are at the core of security.”
He also said media freedom and the security of journalists were crucial for the proper functioning of a democratic society.
"Lithuania, as a part of the Baltic Sea region and a member of the European Union and NATO, believes that a network of regional and sub-regional organizations, complementing each other's activities and those of the OSCE, will be more than the sum of its parts. Synergies between such organizations are vital for building a stronger security community," Azubalis said.
The Lithuanian minister also said there was a need to jointly develop common principles in the field of energy and added that the OSCE could promote dialogue and cooperation at the regional level.
"We will work toward building a true security community, without dividing lines, where commitments are implemented, the use of force is unthinkable, and human rights and fundamental freedoms are fully respected," the Baltic Times quoted Audronius Azubalis, Lithuania’s foreign minister and the new acting chairman of the OSCE, as saying.
"The OSCE can do more to address old and new threats and challenges in the 21st century – both internal and those stemming from outside the OSCE area," Azubalis said, highlighting cyber security and the trafficking of people and drugs as examples of transnational threats affecting all of the OSCE.
Stressing Lithuania's intention of actively focusing on human rights issues during its chairmanship of the organization, Azubalis said, “In the OSCE, human rights and fundamental freedoms are at the core of security.”
He also said media freedom and the security of journalists were crucial for the proper functioning of a democratic society.
"Lithuania, as a part of the Baltic Sea region and a member of the European Union and NATO, believes that a network of regional and sub-regional organizations, complementing each other's activities and those of the OSCE, will be more than the sum of its parts. Synergies between such organizations are vital for building a stronger security community," Azubalis said.
The Lithuanian minister also said there was a need to jointly develop common principles in the field of energy and added that the OSCE could promote dialogue and cooperation at the regional level.
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