UN Secretary General, OSCE Chairperson discuss international community’s engagement with Egypt and Tunisia

VILNIUS, 5 April 2011 – The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, and the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, today discussed support the international community can provide to Egypt and Tunisia.

In a telephone conversation, Ažubalis said he shared Ban Ki-moon’s view that the international community needs to join the peoples of the two countries in a “historic mission” to build freer and more democratic societies. They discussed in particular the need for international financial assistance and electoral support.

“The OSCE, including through its Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights which has extensive experience in providing electoral support, stands ready to share its expertise with Tunisia and Egypt in an international effort co-ordinated by the UN,” Ažubalis said.

Ažubalis will visit Tunisia on 15-16 April to discuss areas of possible OSCE assistance with the country’s authorities.

Today’s conversation was the third in a series of talks between the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and the UN Secretary General about co-ordination of UN and OSCE efforts to provide assistance to the countries of North Africa. Their previous discussion was held on 3 March.

Ažubalis said he highly valued the appreciation expressed by Ban Ki-moon regarding the Lithuanian Chairmanship’s contribution to the global response to international developments.

Azubalis and Ban Ki-moon also discussed the situation in Kyrgyzstan and the need to continue the concerted UN, OSCE and EU efforts to restore trust between the communities in the country.

Talking about the Geneva International Discussions they also stressed the need to find a lasting solution to the UN representative’s participation.

Azubalis reiterated on behalf of the OSCE his condemnation of the brutal killing of UN staff in Mazar-e Sharif, including former OSCE employee Filaret Motco, and extended condolences to the families of those killed.