Lithuania, the current chairman of the OSCE, has started a series of discussions with 56 states to continue the OSCE summit in Astana in 2010, the press service of the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports.
The chairman of the permanent council, Ambassador Renatas Norkus, said at the first session of the ambassadors on March 15 that there is need for a pragmatic approach to convert the initiatives and ideas made in Corfu and the preparations for the Astana summit. They will be approved with the OSCE foreign ministers in Vilnius in late 2011.
Herbert Zalber, director of the Center of Conflict Prevention of the OSCE Secretariat, said at the first session that they need staff and operative support, as well as political will, for preventive measures and timely reaction.
The main goals of the dialogue are an exchange of views on the prevention and settlement of conflicts, transnational threats, energy and ecology, security and human rights.
The dialogue is based on the process in Corfu that was started by the OSCE foreign ministers in June 2009.
Lithuania also plans themed expert discussions.
The International Peace Institute (IPI) will hold themed seminars with the participation of public figures and experts. The institute is a reliable partner of the UN, analyzing security issues.
Norkus said that the institute is unique and respected. It will contribute to the atmosphere of trust. Lithuania praises the support in the Vienna-Vilnius dialogue on security. He said that Lithuania is also grateful for the financial support for the project.
