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