“Closure of the OSCE Office in Minsk – is a stroke for Lithuania”
2011 01 11
Having taken the Chairmanship in OSCE Lithuania started informal consultations aimed at resuming the activities of the Office in Minsk.
This was reported by BelaPAN referring to the statement of the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronis Azubalis.
“I am deeply sorry that Belarusian authorities have not extended the mandate of the OSCE Office in Minsk, - stated the diplomat. OSCE Chairmanship will be working with Belarus and other OSCE members aimed at following up the important activities of the organization in the country. We have started informal consultations aimed at finding the most suitable decision for all parties”.
The OSCE mission functioned in Belarus since 1998. On 31 December 2010 the official Minsk stated that the mandate of the Office is not going to be extended for the following year.
At the same time, the Head of the Parliamentary Delegation at the Lithuanian Seimas Vilija Aleknaite-Abramikiene at the Parliamentary Assembly has sharply commented the closure of the office of the organization in Minsk.
- It’s a pity that Belarus has been pushed backwards, - stated the politician. – There was a feeling before the elections that everything is moving somehow slowly but to the better. However, later Belarus returned to violent and autocratic regime.
Material has been prepared by the Centre of Geopolitical Studies with reference to the article from «Салидарнасць» of 04 01 2011 | 
Print version
