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