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  President Valdas Adamkus, currently on a three day working visit to Austria, met OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut on 7 March.  Mr. Adamkus underlined that Lithuania thought highly of the OSCE’s activities aimed at protecting human rights and freedoms and at building democracy. “Such organizations like the OSCE are instrumental in the world of today,” said Mr. Adamkus. The Lithuanian President pointed out that although many positive changes were effected in the OSCE participating States over the past two decades, disconcerting tendencies emerged in some of the States. Mr. Adamkus called on the OSCE Secretary General to pay more intense attention on human rights protection in Russia, Belarus, and several Central European countries. Speaking about the possibility to speed up the settlement of “frozen” conflicts in Transnistria, Nagorno-Karabakh and South Ossetia, President Adamkus underlined that the role of the OSCE in dealing with old-standing and destabilizing conflicts was of exceptional importance. He emphasized that Russia had to meet its Istanbul commitments to withdraw troops from Georgia and Moldova, and inquired the Secretary General what he thought about the prospects for resolving protracted conflicts. Marc Perrin de Brichambaut noted that they were working in an extremely difficult period and that the OSCE greatly appreciated Lithuania’s contribution to the projects carried out by the Organization. President Adamkus assured Mr. Perrin de Brichambaut that Lithuania was ready to take over the rotating chairmanship of the OSCE in 2010 and effectively deal with problems of urgency to the whole of Europe. “Lithuania views OSCE chairmanship as a very special duty and great responsibility. I am confident that the chairmanship of the OSCE will allow Lithuania to assess its skills and ability and to better prepare for the EU presidency in 2013. I believe that by taking on this responsibility Lithuania will prove that it is ready to face the most difficult challenges,” said Mr. Adamkus. “Your determination is inspiring because I firmly believe in the future of the OSCE – an organization in the very center of major international developments,” said Mr. Perrin de Brichambaut.

“Such organizations like the OSCE are instrumental in the world of today,” said Mr. Adamkus.

The Lithuanian President pointed out that although many positive changes were effected in the OSCE participating States over the past two decades, disconcerting tendencies emerged in some of the States. Mr. Adamkus called on the OSCE Secretary General to pay more intense attention on human rights protection in Russia, Belarus, and several Central European countries.

Speaking about the possibility to speed up the settlement of “frozen” conflicts in Transnistria, Nagorno-Karabakh and South Ossetia, President Adamkus underlined that the role of the OSCE in dealing with old-standing and destabilizing conflicts was of exceptional importance. He emphasized that Russia had to meet its Istanbul commitments to withdraw troops from Georgia and Moldova, and inquired the Secretary General what he thought about the prospects for resolving protracted conflicts.

Marc Perrin de Brichambaut noted that they were working in an extremely difficult period and that the OSCE greatly appreciated Lithuania’s contribution to the projects carried out by the Organization.

President Adamkus assured Mr. Perrin de Brichambaut that Lithuania was ready to take over the rotating chairmanship of the OSCE in 2010 and effectively deal with problems of urgency to the whole of Europe.

“Lithuania views OSCE chairmanship as a very special duty and great responsibility. I am confident that the chairmanship of the OSCE will allow Lithuania to assess its skills and ability and to better prepare for the EU presidency in 2013. I believe that by taking on this responsibility Lithuania will prove that it is ready to face the most difficult challenges,” said Mr. Adamkus.

“Your determination is inspiring because I firmly believe in the future of the OSCE – an organization in the very center of major international developments,” said Mr. Perrin de Brichambaut.