Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 3 /Trend, I.Huseynov/
The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, said Monday that the Chairmanship had started consultations that aim to find a solution that would enable the OSCE to continue its work in Belarus, said in OSCE statement.
"I deeply regret that the Belarusian authorities did not extend the mandate of the OSCE Office in Minsk... We have started informal consultations to find an agreement acceptable to all," Ažubalis said.
According to him, The OSCE Chairmanship will work together with Belarus and the other OSCE participating States to continue the Organization's important work in the country.
The OSCE has maintained a presence in Minsk since 1998. The mandate of the Office must be renewed annually by the 56 OSCE participating States and it expired on 31 December 2010.