Chairperson emphasizes need to continue OSCE work in Belarus

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, reiterated in a meeting on 5 January 2010 in Vilnius that he considers it crucial that the Organization be able to continue operating a field operation in Belarus.

During a meeting with Ambassador Benedikt Haller, Head of the OSCE Office in Minsk, Ažubalis said the OSCE Office in Minsk has been a resource that has benefited Belarus' institutions and civil society by providing support and objective analysis of events in line with its mandate. He reiterated his deep regret over Belarusian authorities' decision to terminate the Office's mandate.

Renewing the mandate of the Office, which expired on 31 December 2010, would require a consensus decision by the 56 OSCE participating States. The OSCE has maintained a presence in Minsk since 1998.

Ažubalis stressed that the OSCE Office had provided valuable assistance to the Belarusian government in its work to strengthen institutions, consolidate the rule of law and foster relations with civil society in accordance with the OSCE principles and commitments. He also emphasized that all OSCE field operations – located in South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, South Caucasus in Central Asia – do important work to help their host countries fulfill their obligations as OSCE participating States.

Lithuania has started diplomatic consultations with OSCE participating States in an effort to find ways to enable the OSCE to continue its work in Belarus.