LITHUANIA WILLING TO RAISE NGO LAW WITH RUSSIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 001243 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/NB AND EUR/RUS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/24/2015 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR PREL RS LH SUBJECT: LITHUANIA WILLING TO RAISE NGO LAW WITH RUSSIA REF: SECSTATE 212899 Classified By: Pol/Econ Officer Gregory L. Bernsteen for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) We delivered reftel points regarding Russia's proposed new NGO law to Arunas Vinciunas, head of the MFA's Russia Division, on November 25. Vinciunas told us that the GOL shares our concerns regarding potential constraints on NGO activities. He noted that the GOL Ambassador in Moscow recently joined with other EU Ambassadors to send a letter to Foreign Minister Lavrov on this subject. Vinciunas agreed with our point that discussing with Russia the principles behind Lithuania's laws regulating NGOs could be useful. He said that he would add talking points on the proposed NGO law to those being prepared for MFA Undersecretary Albinas Januska's (as yet unannounced) trip to Moscow next week. ¶2. (SBU) We will also circulate reftel points to members of Parliament who follow issues related to Russia and will report any responses we receive. KELLY