OSCE Chairperson meets US Secretary of State, addresses Helsinki Commission

WASHINGTON, 16 February 2011 – The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, in meetings today with US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and senior members of the US administration, underlined Lithuania‘s commitment to promoting OSCE principles, searching for resolution of the protracted conflicts in the OSCE area, supporting freedom of the media, building and maintaining trust and confidence, and promoting energy security.

During the meetings progress in the resolution of protracted conflicts was discussed. With regard to the Transdniestria conflict, Ažubalis stressed that it is time to move from informal talks to official negotiations in the 5+2 format on a comprehensive settlement. The 5+2 format comprises the sides, mediators and observers in the negotiation process: the Republic of Moldova, Transdniestria, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, the OSCE, the United States and the European Union. The OSCE Chairmanship will also focus on challenges in the South Caucasus. The OSCE will work within the Geneva framework to develop measures to improve security and address humanitarian needs in areas affected by the August 2008 conflict. Greater engagement by the Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group will also be required to reduce the growing tensions on the ground in and around Nagorno-Karabakh.

At the hearings of the US Helsinki Commission, Ažubalis also discussed challenges to human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law throughout the OSCE region, as well as the need to address emerging transnational threats and the results of the recent OSCE Summit in Astana.

“The Lithuanian OSCE Chairmanship is determined to work together with all participating States to fully realize the vision of a comprehensive, cooperative and indivisible security community throughout our shared OSCE area,” said Ažubalis.

The Helsinki Commission - formally known as the Commission on Security and Co-operation in Europe - is an independent US government agency responsible for monitoring and encouraging compliance with the Helsinki Final Act and other OSCE commitments.

Ažubalis emphasized the role of OSCE Institutions and field operations in helping the OSCE participating States fulfill their OSCE commitments.

“In the OSCE, security has always been measured in terms of the well-being of the individual. Our community is safest when human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law are upheld,” he said, adding that improving respect for freedom of the media was a priority of the Lithuanian Chairmanship. In June the Chairmanship is inviting all 56 participating States to Vilnius for a discussion on a political and expert level to improve the safety of journalists in the OSCE region.

During his stay in Washington he also met the Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congresswoman Iliana Ros-Leithenen and other members Foreign Affairs committee. Tomorrow Ažubalis will meet Senator Benjamin Cardin, Co-Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, and conclude his visit with a discussion at the Atlantic Council.