Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08VILNIUS899
2008-10-22 15:10:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vilnius
Cable title:
LITHUANIA TO PURSUE REDUCTION IN SCHENGEN VISA FEE
how-toVZCZCXRO1531 PP RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHVL #0899 2961510 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 221510Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY VILNIUS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2987 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
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)
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
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