OSCE Chair to Ask Armenia, Azerbaijan to Withdraw Snipers from Line of Contact Immediately

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, outlined the goals of the country’s 2011 OSCE Chairmanship and highlighted common challenges faced by the OSCE and UN in an address to the UN Security Council today.

Ažubalis said that Lithuania, as the 2011 OSCE Chairmanship, will build on the results of the Astana Summit and the work of previous Chairmanships, especially in advancing the settlement of unresolved conflicts and promoting media freedom, energy security and regional co-operation. In all of these areas, the OSCE will co-operate closely with the UN and its agencies.

Underlining that among the Chairmanship‘s highest priorities will be seeking progress in the resolution of unresolved conflicts, he said: “We will fully respect the norms and principles of international law enshrined in the United Nations Charter, as well as the Helsinki Final Act.“

He added that growing tensions on the ground over Nagorno-Karabakh are worrisome. “The OSCE role in pursuing a settlement of this prolonged conflict through greater engagement by the Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group will be maintained. I will invite the conflict parties to implement confidence-building measures, including immediate withdrawal of snipers from the Line of Contact, and strengthening OSCE monitoring activities.”

Ažubalis stressed that the Chairmanship will work to reduce tensions and build trust among affected communities in the South Caucasus: “We will urge all participants to take full advantage of the Geneva framework to develop measures to improve security and alleviate humanitarian needs,“

He underlined the importance of co-operation between the UN and OSCE in maintaining regional peace and security.