OSCE Chairperson emphasizes need to respect commitments, offers support to partner countries Egypt and Tunisia

VIENNA, 24 February 2011 – The OSCE Chairperson, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, today called on OSCE participating States to fulfil their commitments and said that the Organization could provide advice and assistance to Egypt and Tunisia, both OSCE Partners for Co-operation.

In a speech to a meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Ažubalis said the problems he has been working on since assuming office on 1 January – human rights, media freedom, elections and ethnic and border conflicts – could be viewed from different perspectives.

"There is one perspective, however, which we all share. That is the perspective of the Helsinki process; the perspective guided by the values and principles which each of our participating States have affirmed and reaffirmed over the years," he said, highlighting the reaffirmation made in the Astana Commemorative Declaration, adopted at the December 2010 OSCE Summit.

"The OSCE participating States have made progress over the years, individually and collectively, toward the goals of the Helsinki process. But even today, as the Chairperson-in-Office, I still see individuals facing challenges in securing their basic human rights, guaranteeing fair elections, protecting freedom of speech and the safety of journalists and ensuring that anti-terrorism measures comply with international human rights standards."

The Lithuanian OSCE Chairmanship had set goals to further the Helsinki principles, he said. "Our aim is work toward realizing the vision of a security community throughout our shared OSCE area."

Ažubalis said the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly meeting's focus on the Mediterranean region was particularly relevant considering developments in the OSCE partner countries Egypt and Tunisia, adding he recognized the democratic aspirations of the populations.

He said he was "prepared to facilitate exchanges on how the OSCE's experience in promoting security, enhancing prosperity and building strong democratic institutions and vibrant civil societies might prove relevant to transition processes in our partner countries."

Regarding the situation in Belarus, Ažubalis said he was "seriously concerned" about the start of trials of demonstrators and presidential candidates in Minsk. "The presence of objective OSCE/ODIHR trial monitors is essential," he said. "We remain troubled by the overall situation, including the closure of the OSCE Office in Minsk."

The recent protests in Albania also were a "cause for concern", he said. "We are prepared to offer support and mediate in the situation if requested and appropriate."

He asked for the parliamentarians' support in working toward achieving "tangible progress in addressing protracted conflicts" and said he planned "to use the Geneva process to rebuild trust and work to restore a meaningful presence in Georgia". He called for the resumption of official talks in the Transdniestrian settlement process this year and expressed concern about "the potential for deterioration in the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh."