GAERC: LITHUANIA WANTS EASTERN PARTNERSHIP LAUNCH

C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 001026 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN RS XG LH SUBJECT: GAERC: LITHUANIA WANTS EASTERN PARTNERSHIP LAUNCH DURING CZECH PRESIDENCY REF: A. STATE 127023 ¶B. VILNIUS 994 Classified By: Ambassador John A. Cloud for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. Lithuania hopes the EU, following the GAERC and the subsequent European Council meetings next week, will endorse the launch of the Eastern Partnership, a multilateral "platform" for EU 27 consultation and assistance with six former Soviet states. The Lithuanians will also look for EU support for the Swedlink electrical cable connecting Sweden and Lithuania. On other GAERC agenda items, Lithuania generally supports USG views, notably emphasizing the need for both the Bosnians to meet 5 2 commitments and the Turks to focus on judicial and political reform. End summary. ¶2. (C) Post discussed ref A points with the MFA's Head of Common Foreign and Security Policy, Egidijus Navikas, December 3. He said the Lithuanians will be using GAERC mainly to finalize the agenda for the subsequent December 11-12 European Council meeting. There will two big ticket items of interest, the Eastern Partnership and Energy/Climate Change. Navikas also confirmed that PM-designate Kubilius (note: or newly-confirmed PM, depending on how things progress in Vilnius) will attend the European Council meeting along with President Adamkus. ¶3. (C) Navikas described the Eastern Partnership as a "platform" for consultation and assistance between the EU 27 and six neighboring countries -- Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. This platform differs from the Stabilization and Cooperation Agreements already in place between the EU and various non-members because it will be multilateral in nature. All 27 EU members plus the six will meet together. Lithuania's goal is to get agreement to launch the Eastern Partnership at the Czech Presidency Summit next spring. Belarus is included however its status has not been finalized. Navikas predicted that the EU would surprise President Lukashenka by inviting him to the Summit but assign him observer status only. ¶4. (C) The Energy/Climate change issue is divvied into three areas, Baltic interconnectivity, energy efficiency, and CO2 quotas. Navikas only addressed the first area. He said the Lithuanians expect GAERC and Council support for the Swedlink electrical connection to the Baltic States however they would also like the EU's "implicit" endorsement of the cable going to Lithuania specifically (and not to Latvia). ¶5. (C) Post discussed other GAERC agenda items with Navikas and found the Lithuanians in general agreement with USG policies. They still support EU accession for Turkey but agree with Commission findings that the Turks need to focus on judicial and political reforms. They share our concerns with the situation in Bosnia and support the need for 5 2 commitments to be met. ¶6. (C) The Lithuanians want to keep all the Balkan countries on an EU membership track and favor increasing EU public diplomacy toward the region as a weapon to counter "nationalist" sentiments. Navikas summarized the Lithuanian position on WTO/Doha saying it supports opening up EU agrarian sectors if other nations -- Brazil, China and India -- open up their industrials sectors. ¶7. (C) Post discussed Pakistan with Navikas December 3 and with other MFA officials on November 25 (ref B). They seem open to taking a leadership role in future EU/Pakistan affairs, especially given Lithuania's involvement in Afghanistan through NATO, however it would be difficult this year because they have no money to put behind it. ¶8. (C) Comment: the Lithuanians have been disappointed by France's EU Presidency primarily because of the French push for closer relations with Russia over Lithuanian and others' objections. They are now focusing on the things they hope will get done during the Czech Presidency. The Eastern Partnership would be welcome because it would increase EU engagement with fellow, former Soviet states, something the Lithuanians have long sought. ¶9. (C) On energy issues, the GOL is looking for some kind of sign from the Council that the EU supports its claim to be on the receiving end of the Swedlink, as opposed to Latvia's. We see this as symptomatic of the Baltic states' inability to solve their energy problems collaboratively. End comment. CLOUD