LITHUANIA URGES TO SUPPORT DEMOCRATIC CHANGE IN UKRAINE
24 February, New York. „Political power that disregards the will and expectations of the vast majority of its citizens and is concerned only with its own egoistic interest loses democratic legitimacy and trust of its people and is not sustainable”, - stressed Ambassador Raimonda Murmokaitė, Lithuania’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations speaking in the United Nations Security Council briefing on Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Lithuanian Ambassador welcomed the striving for freedom and democracy in Ukraine and expressed the need to consolidate the principles of human rights and accountability in the country. „Lithuania welcomes the ongoing democratic change in Ukraine and the determined leadership of the Verkhovna Rada in this historic process”, - said Ambassador Murmokaitė and stressed that Lithuania remains firmly committed to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
The Ambassador stressed the important role the OSCE and in particular the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, has to play in the process of preparing for the new elections in Ukraine.
Talking on UN-OSCE cooperation in other fields, Lithuanian Ambassador noted successful joint effort to address the consequences of the 2008 war in Georgia that should be continued. Ambassador Murmokaitė also encouraged OSCE to further facilitate cooperation between Central Asian states and Afghanistan, especially in the area of border management. She underlined the need to support democratic reforms and human rights in Central Asia.
Lithuanian Ambassador stressed that there cannot be lasting security and stability without respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. “Lithuania consistently supports the work of the independent OSCE institutions related to the implementation of OSCE human rights commitments. One particular area where OSCE needs continuous engagement is freedom of expression and media freedom”, - said Ambassador Murmokaitė.
She welcomed the OSCE focus in addressing transnational threats. “Cybersecurity threats have been on the rise, and we welcome the pioneering work by the OSCE on cyber security confidence building measures at the regional level and would support a discussion on the possibilities to apply this approach beyond the OSCE”, - noted Lithuania’s representative.
Ambassador Murmokaitė also commended OSCE contribution to implementing the UN Programme of Action of small arms and light weapons, especially in assisting participating states in the development of relevant legislation as well as to promotion of energy security and addressing regional challenges related to the use of natural resources.
Finally, Lithuania’s Ambassador noted the importance of full and equal exercise by women of their human rights to achieving a more peaceful, secure and democratic OSCE. Therefore, the appointment of gender focal points at all field operations and departments of the OSCE, implementation of the OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality, are essential, stressed Ambassador Murmokaitė.
Switzerland‘s Foreign Minister, OSCE Chairman in Office, Didier Burkhalter briefed the UN Security Council on the priorities and activities of OSCE. Briefings by the OSCE Chairperson in Office are held at the beginning of each year.
