GAERC: LITHUANIA WANTS A COMMON EU ENERGY POLICY

C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 000045 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN XG SY LH SUBJECT: GAERC: LITHUANIA WANTS A COMMON EU ENERGY POLICY REF: A. STATE 04297 ¶B. STATE 01985 ¶C. VILNIUS 26 Classified By: DCM Damian R. Leader for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. Foreign Minister Usackas will focus on energy security and the importance of the Eastern Partnership at the upcoming GAERC (ref A). The GOL is open to the idea of inviting President Lukashenka to the Czech-hosted EU Summit in May, though they agree on the need for demonstrable reforms before an invitation is extended. ¶2. (C) Post again discussed the potential EU-Syria Association Agreement (refs B and C) with the MFA. EU Head of Common Foreign and Security Policy Egidijus Navikas accepted U.S. concerns that the timing of such an agreement appears to reward the SARG for unfulfilled promises and bad behavior. He admitted he was unsure of the agreement's implementation schedule however he said he cannot believe there will not be one more opportunity for the GAERC to approve or delay it. End summary. ¶3. (C) Post discussed ref A points with the MFA's Head of Common Foreign and Security Policy, Egidijus Navikas, January ¶21. He said FM Usackas will speak primarily on two issues, energy security and the importance of the Eastern Partnership. On energy security his focus will be on lessons learned from the Ukraine-Russia energy dispute, especially the necessity of having a common EU policy on energy markets. ¶4. (C) The FM will also speak in support of the Eastern Partnership launch scheduled for the EU Summit in May, including its calls for closer EU ties to Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine. Navikas suspects the Czechs want to invite President Lukashenka to the Summit -- something to which the Lithuanians might be agreeable, however they see a need for demonstrable reforms in Belarus before any invitation is extended. ¶5. (C) On Balkan issues, Navikas said the GOL hopes EULEX is on track to assume operational capability over rule of law issues in Kosovo. He also said the GOL favors both EU engagement with Serbia to keep it on an eventual EU accession track, and European Commission commencement of an EU application process for Montenegro. ¶6. (C) Post raised the idea of Lithuania accepting GTMO detainees and Navikas said the GOL is in talks on the issue at its upper levels (septel). On Afghanistan, he said the Lithuanians support an increased EU presence, particularly EUPOL. Navikas accepted Chad/Darfur and Zimbabwe points though he said they are not on the January agenda. CLOUD