Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05VILNIUS857
2005-08-18 14:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vilnius
Cable title:  

GOL CONTINUES TO SUPPORT TURKEY'S EU BID

Tags:  PREL EU TU LH 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 000857 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NB AND EUR/ERA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/17/2015
TAGS: PREL EU TU LH
SUBJECT: GOL CONTINUES TO SUPPORT TURKEY'S EU BID

REF: SECSTATE 150087

Classified By: Political/Economic Officer Alexander Titolo for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 000857

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NB AND EUR/ERA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/17/2015
TAGS: PREL EU TU LH
SUBJECT: GOL CONTINUES TO SUPPORT TURKEY'S EU BID

REF: SECSTATE 150087

Classified By: Political/Economic Officer Alexander Titolo for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Vidmantas Purlys, Head of the MFA's EU Sector
Policies Coordination Division, told us August 18 that the
GOL shares USG concerns about adding conditions to the
negotiating framework ahead of the planned October 3 start of
EU accession talks with Turkey. Purlys said that while the
GOL is sensitive to the delicate political situation in other
EU states regarding Turkey's membership, it believes that the
EU should uphold the commitment it made to open talks. He
stated that in the GOL's view, Turkey has complied with the
conditions necessary to begin accession discussions and that
it would be unfair to change the rules at this point. Purlys
added, however, that Turkey's membership in the EU is not a
certainty; it is possible that the negotiations might fail.
Purlys pointed out that most Lithuanians are ambivalent on
this issue, but those who do have an opinion are more likely
to oppose Turkey's membership than to support it.


2. (C) COMMENT: The GOL supports expansion of the EU as a
means of ensuring security and democracy in the region.
Lithuania will support Turkey's EU accession process,
provided that the Government of Turkey presses ahead with the
necessary reforms. However, the membership of nearer
neighbors is more important to Lithuania's long-term
interests.
Mull