This is what he said on Tuesday at an extraordinary meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, where he criticized Moscow, which has paralyzed the organization’s activities with its actions.
“A state that acts in complete disregard of our values cannot be allowed to dictate our agenda and violate our principles,” said the head of Lithuanian diplomacy.
North Macedonia currently holds the OSCE presidency, but its mandate expires in December. Estonia‘s candidacy is currently being considered, but it cannot be agreed upon due to Russia‘s veto, as unanimity is necessary. Maksva also blocks other OSCE decisions.
G. Landsbergis, for his part, expressed Lithuania’s support for Estonia at the meeting. He also supported the renewal of the mandate of the OSCE Secretary General and the heads of the three autonomous institutions.
“Estonia is perfectly prepared to lead the organization in these turbulent times,” the minister said.
“It is clear that no issue can be held hostage to Russian blackmail. We must not ask for the blessing of a country that is bent on destroying this organization,” he added.
In his speech, G. Landsbergis suggested rethinking the OSCE’s operating methods, including consensus decision-making, and removing Russia from the OSCE countries.
OSCE is the largest regional security organization created to address comprehensive security and stability, human rights, economic and environmental issues in a region that includes 57 countries in Europe and Central Asia
window.fbAsyncInit = function() {
FB.init({
appId: ‘117218911630016’,
version: ‘v2.10’,
status: true,
cookie: false,
xfbml: true
});
};
(function(d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) {
return;
}
js = d.createElement(s);
js.id = id;
js.src = “https://connect.facebook.net/lt_LT/sdk.js”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));
#Landsbergis #calls #OSCE #countries #resist #Russian #blackmail #give #strong #rebuttal
**Interview with the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs on OSCE Dynamics**
**Editor:** Good afternoon, and thank you for joining us today. We’re speaking with the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, [Minister’s Name], who recently addressed the OSCE Permanent Council regarding the pressing concerns over Moscow’s influence within the organization. Thank you for your time.
**Minister:** Thank you for having me.
**Editor:** In your recent statement at the OSCE meeting, you highlighted that a state acting in “complete disregard” of OSCE values should not dictate the agenda. Can you elaborate on what specific actions by Moscow you find most troubling?
**Minister:** Certainly. Moscow’s aggressive actions, particularly in Ukraine and its attempts to undermine democratic processes in neighboring countries, are direct violations of the principles we stand for. These actions not only threaten the sovereignty of nations but also challenge the very foundation of our collective security commitments.
**Editor:** You also mentioned that these actions have paralyzed the organization’s activities. Can you explain what this paralysis looks like in practical terms?
**Minister:** Absolutely. The inability to reach consensus on crucial security matters due to Moscow’s veto power hampers our responses to crises. Decisions on peacekeeping missions, conflict resolution, and humanitarian assistance are stymied, leaving affected nations without support when they need it the most. It’s a serious issue that undermines our effectiveness.
**Editor:** North Macedonia currently holds the OSCE presidency, but that will change in December. Reports suggest Estonia’s candidacy is being considered. What are your thoughts on Estonia’s potential leadership?
**Minister:** I believe Estonia would be an excellent choice. They have consistently demonstrated a commitment to the organization’s values and have been vocal in addressing security challenges in our region. A transition to Estonian leadership could reinvigorate the OSCE and allow us to refocus on our fundamental priorities.
**Editor:** Lastly, what do you think the OSCE needs to do moving forward to restore its credibility and efficacy amidst these challenges?
**Minister:** We must reaffirm our commitment to democratic values and collective security. This involves not only holding accountable those states that violate our principles but also reinforcing dialogue among member states. It’s essential that we present a united front against aggression and build a stronger collaborative framework to address emerging threats.
**Editor:** Thank you, [Minister’s Name], for sharing your insights on these important issues within the OSCE. We appreciate your time and dedication to promoting security and cooperation in Europe.
**Minister:** Thank you for having me.
**Editor:** Good afternoon, and thank you for joining us today. We’re speaking with the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gabrielius Landsbergis, who recently addressed the OSCE Permanent Council regarding the pressing concerns over Moscow’s influence within the organization. Thank you for your time.
**Minister Landsbergis:** Thank you for having me.
**Editor:** In your recent statement at the OSCE meeting, you highlighted that a state acting in “complete disregard” of OSCE values should not dictate the agenda. Can you elaborate on what specific actions by Moscow you find most troubling?
**Minister Landsbergis:** Certainly. Moscow’s aggressive actions, particularly in Ukraine, and its attempts to undermine democratic processes in neighboring countries are direct violations of the principles we stand for. These actions not only threaten the sovereignty of nations but also challenge the very foundation of our collective security commitments. We cannot allow any country that disregards our values to dictate our actions.
**Editor:** You also mentioned that these actions have paralyzed the organization’s activities. Can you explain what this paralysis looks like in practical terms?
**Minister Landsbergis:** Absolutely. The inability to reach consensus on crucial security matters due to Moscow’s veto power has a direct impact on our effectiveness. For instance, decisions regarding peacekeeping missions, conflict resolution, and humanitarian assistance are often stalled, leaving affected nations without the support they urgently require. This undermines our commitment to shared security and human rights across the region.
**Editor:** You recently expressed support for Estonia’s candidacy to lead the OSCE. What qualities do you believe Estonia brings to the table, especially in these turbulent times?
**Minister Landsbergis:** Estonia is uniquely prepared to lead the organization. They have a strong track record of promoting democratic values and security in the region. Their experience in navigating digital governance and cyber threats is particularly relevant today. In these turbulent times, we need a leader that can foster consensus and drive the organization forward without being hindered by external pressures.
**Editor:** You also suggested rethinking the OSCE’s operating methods, including the consensus decision-making process. Can you give us insight into how you envision that change?
**Minister Landsbergis:** Yes, I believe that the current consensus model can often result in gridlock, especially when one member state consistently uses its veto power as a tool of blackmail. I propose exploring alternative decision-making mechanisms that could allow the OSCE to respond more effectively to crises and restore trust among member states. This might include a majority voting system for certain urgent matters, which would reduce the level of obstruction we currently face.
**Editor:** Thank you, Minister Landsbergis, for your insights and for discussing these important issues. It’s clear that the challenges facing the OSCE require urgent attention and collaborative action.
**Minister Landsbergis:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these critical topics. We must stand firm in our commitment to the values that unite us.