Prime Minister met with OSCE Secretary General

Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius met with Secretary General of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe Marc Perrin de Brichambaut. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly starts in Vilnius today.

Secretary General noted that the OSCE goals – advancement of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law – were of great relevance today, with Europe and the world facing ever new security challenges. De Brichambaut pointed out that after-effects of the global financial and economic crisis also threatened stability of the states on their way to democratisation. The meeting also included: an exchange of views on Georgia as Russia fails its obligations assumed as a member of the OSCE; rising tensions over gas between Russia and Ukraine; peace prospects for Nagorno-Karabakh, and restoration of security in Afghanistan. On the so-called new European security architecture brought forward by Russia, the Prime Minister noted that it was not the new European security architecture, but defaulted obligations that basically raised concern.

One more item on the agenda of the meeting was Lithuania’s preparation for the OSCE presidency in 2011 and possible political priorities in this regard. Later today, Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius is going to address the plenary session of the OSCE Assembly in the Seimas with an opening speech.