The persistence of protracted conflicts remains one of the greatest threats to security and co-operation within the OSCE area, said Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis.

“Therefore, one of the highest priorities for Lithuania’s Chairmanship of the OSCE last year was to enhance the Organization’s capabilities to promote settlement of protracted conflicts,” he said in an interview with eurodialogue.org.

“As regards Nagorno-Karabakh, we have worked closely with the Minsk Group Co-Chairs and have made our contribution to prevent the volatile situation in and around Nagorno-Karabakh from getting worse,” Ažubalis said recalling about a joint statement agreed by head of delegations of the Minsk Group co-chairing states and Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Lithuanian FM is confident that strengthened relations between the EU and the three countries in the South Caucasus will also open new avenues for the resolution of the protracted conflicts.

“Lithuania is a strong proponent for deeper involvement of the EU in the region. We see Eastern Partnership as indispensible instrument to develop relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia,” he added.