The first OSCE meeting of this year started on 7 February in Vienna for discussing the issues of sustainable energy, energy security and OSCE support in getting prepared for the Economic and Environmental Forum. As reported by IA REGNUM on 8 February at the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 56 OSCE participating states are taking place in the two-day meeting, as well as representatives of international and regional organizations, non-governmental organizations and partner countries. The key topics of the meeting cover energy efficiency and sustainable use of traditional and new energy sources, effective national policies for sustainable energy, good governance and transparency in the energy field, and regional and sub-regional co-operation.

“Long-term energy security largely depends upon the sustainable production and consumption of energy. In this light, we take a holistic view on energy security,” said Egidijus Meilunas, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania at the opening session of the meeting.

“Energy security is a multidimensional concept, which includes both internal and external actors and actions. It is more than sustainability, competitiveness and security of demand, supply and transport. Economic, political and security measures have to be applied in combination to generate essential synergies,” said OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut. “In getting together this week some of the leading experts from academia, NGOs, international organizations and governments, the OSCE is fulfilling its potential as a platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas with regard to energy issues.”

According to the words of another expert Goran Svilanović, the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, “the pertinence of the topic is undeniable for all of us”. “The world is currently facing interrelated challenges such as energy deprivation, degradation of the environment and economic decline. We cannot deny the risk this reality entails for the security and stability in our region,” said Svilanović, adding that “it is in our interests to focus on responding to these challenges in such a manner that may benefit all of us”. “Subsequently, a consolidated dialogue among all of us and sharing of experiences and best practices are therefore fundamental. I am confident that our Forum offers a perfect framework to establish a fruitful collaboration” – he concluded.

The theme of the Nineteenth OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum is “Promotion of common actions and co-operation within the OSCE area in the fields of developing sustainable energy and transport”. The Second Preparatory Meeting on the development of sustainable transport will be held in Druskininkai, Lithuania, on 4 and 5 April, to be followed by the concluding Meeting in Prague on 14 to 16 September.

Material has been prepared by the Centre of Geopolitical Studies with reference to the article from «IA Regnum» of 08 02 2011

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