LITHUANIA TO PURSUE REDUCTION IN SCHENGEN VISA FEE

C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 000899 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV EU BO LH SUBJECT: LITHUANIA TO PURSUE REDUCTION IN SCHENGEN VISA FEE FOR BELARUS Classified By: Charge Damian R. Leader for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) MFA Head of Belarus Division Marijus Gudynas told Post October 17 that Lithuania is pleased with the recent European Council declaration temporarily suspending the travel ban on Belarusian President Lukashenka. He said current Lithuanian policy toward Belarus will follow parallel tracks -- passive engagement with the political leadership and increased outreach to civil society, primarily through visa facilitation. ¶2. (C) Gudynas said the Lithuanians plan to "remain cool" toward Lukashenka and other senior leaders. There are no plans to offer engagement at the Presidential level, however they will consider any overtures that might originate from Minsk for such a meeting. Gudynas noted that FM Vaitiekunas has made clear to Belarusian FM Martynov that the EU recognizes the significance of the recent release of political prisoners (reftel). However the EU reacted in part to this release by deciding to temporarily suspend the travel ban on President Lukashenka. Therefore, according to Gudynas, Lithuania thinks it is Belarus's turn to make the next move. ¶3. (C) The Lithuanians will attempt to increase outreach to Belarusian civil society in the meantime. Gudynas said the primary goal in the next six months is to work within the EU to reduce its Schengen Visa fee from 60 euros to 35 euros for Belarusians. Gudynas said the MFA's informal polling of other EU members shows no opposition to this reduction; it is just a matter of getting a political agreement to do so. The Lithuanians hope the reduced fee will ease the financial strain of obtaining a visa for ordinary Belarusians and encourage more of them to travel to "the West." Gudynas also noted that the EU currently charges Russians only 35 euros for a Schengen Visa. LEADER