LITHUANIA JOINED THE GROUP OF FRIENDS OF MEDIATION
Updated 2012-02-01
On 31 January 2012 Lithuania became the latest member of the Group of Friends of Mediation, which aims at increasing the visibility of mediation, making more active use of the mediation services already available and improving the support for peace mediation offered by the UN.
Co-chaired by Finland and Turkey, the Group now comprises 28 UN Member States and 7 regional organisations. In June 2011, following the Group’s initiative, UN General Assembly adopted the Resolution 65/283 “Strengthening the role of mediation in peaceful settlement of disputes, conflict prevention and resolution”, which consolidated normative mediation efforts, reinforced support for mediation activities and enhanced engagement by all actors.
Lithuania cosponsored Resolution 65/283, as it considers mediation an essential tool in the maintenance of international peace and security. It is also significant that the resolution stresses the importance of partnerships and cooperation of international, regional and sub-regional organizations with the United Nations, with each other and with civil society.
Conflict prevention and resolution was one of the priorities of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). On December 7, 2011 the OSCE Ministerial Council in Vilnius took a historic decision No.3/11, in anticipation of further steps in addressing the conflict cycle, to strengthen OSCE capabilities in early warning, early action, dialogue facilitation, mediation support and post-conflict rehabilitation on an operational level.
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Lithuania addressed the issue of mediation during the Security Council debate on Women, Peace and Security. See Statement.
