GOL WON'T LINK TURKEY/CYPRUS AGENDA AND CUSTOMS

C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 000120 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/NB AND EUR/SE E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2016 TAGS: PREL CY TU LH EUN SUBJECT: GOL WON'T LINK TURKEY/CYPRUS AGENDA AND CUSTOMS OBLIGATIONS REF: STATE 16987 Classified By: Pol/Econ Officer Christian Yarnell for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) (C) We delivered reftel points regarding a way forward on Turkey/Cyprus to Gediminas Vilkas, responsible for Turkey issues within the MFA's EU Department, February 6. Vilkas commented that Turkey/Cyprus questions lie only on the fringes of the Lithuanian foreign policy agenda and that the GOL will not substantively contribute to debate on this matter within the EU. Vilkas said that Lithuania stands behind the EU's December declaration calling for Turkey's "full, non-discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol, and the removal of all obstacles to the free movement of goods, including restrictions on means of transport" to all EU member states. Lithuania, he noted, hoped to avoid linking Turkey's obligations under the EU Customs agreement and the broader goal of a Cyprus settlement. We countered that the customs question, while of import within the EU, is nonetheless an integral part of the broader UN-led final settlement process. MULL