The Lithuanian OSCE chairmanship 2011: Ambitions and results

Abstract

Introduction The Lithuanian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Audronius Ažubalis, used to emphasize that Lithuania’s Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2011 was one of the biggest challenges facing Lithuanian foreign policy. The word ‘challenge’ probably best generalises the approach of Lithuanian diplomats and political leaders to the responsibilities in chairing the OSCE assumed by Lithuania in 2011. Nevertheless, even before the start of the Chairmanship, Lithuanian foreign policy leaders emphasized that the right to chair the OSCE granted to Lithuania is a success for the foreign policy of the small state and a kind of recognition. Also this achievement could be assessed as a reward for the Lithuania’s diplomacy efforts to integrate into the international community and to engage in international problem-solving processes with a certain degree of responsibility. In targeting the chair of the OSCE Lithuania has had to rely on more specific motives as to why it has sought this position. One of the subjective motives was related to Lithuania’s reputation and strengthening its international assessments. Lithuania is a small country, so politicians and diplomats are regularly subjected to public as well as inner tacit pressure to be visible and significant in the field of global politics. It is therefore not surprising why, in chairing an international organization which brings together 56 countries and which is considered to be an important political forum not only in Europe but also in some Asian countries, Lithuania has sought to emphasize that this task opens up new possibilities. More specifically, the potential ‘to strengthen the country’s international and regional role, to prepare for the Presidency of the European Union in 2013 and for the possible membership in the UN Security