Resolution of protracted conflicts will be one of the priorities of Lithuania's chairmanship to the OSCE, Foreign Minister Audronius Azubalis said prior to Lithuania's assuming the OSCE chairmanship in January 2011.

“Solving the problem of protracted conflicts will be one of the priorities of Lithuania's chairmanship of the OSCE. We see how the unresolved conflicts hamper development of these countries and prevent more intense European integration,” said Azubalis.

“It is important to maximally use the existing formats of negotiations and not to rush. In the case of the South Caucasus, it is the Geneva discussions and OSCE Minsk Group. We fully trust the chairs of these formats of negotiations and it is our duty to ensure their unimpeded work,” said Azubalis.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister resolved to appoint experienced diplomat Giedrius Cekuolis as a representative for protracted conflicts; personal representative of OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk will continue to work with the Minsk Group, Trend reported.