GIMNICH DISCUSSION WILL REFINE EU POLICIES FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 000466 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/02/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN LH SUBJECT: GIMNICH DISCUSSION WILL REFINE EU POLICIES FOR AFGHANISTAN, PAKISTAN Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY CHARGE D'AFFAIRES DAMIAN LEADER, FOR REASO NS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) Summary. The head of MFA's Common Foreign and Security Policy Division, Egidijus Navikas said that Foreign Ministers plan to adopt an EU strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan at the next GAERC meeting and will use the GIMNICH discussion to refine policies. He shared a white paper (sent to EUR/NB, EUR/ERA) which outlines suggested elements for discussion concerning Afghanistan and Pakistan. Navikas said that the GIMNICH agenda also includes a broad discussion on the EU itself. End summary. ¶2. (C) We met with Navikas on August 31 to discuss the upcoming GIMNICH meetings. Navikas said that the GOL will not be heavily engaged in the GIMNICH agenda (the GOL is very active in Afghanistan but most of its contributions are at the bilateral level rather than the EU level). ¶3. (C) Navikas said that the Foreign Ministers plan to adopt an EU strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan at the next GAERC meeting on September 14-15. He shared a white paper that will be used for discussion at the GIMNICH. The paper suggests that, in general, separate mandates are appropriate for Afghanistan and Pakistan because complex issues affecting either country cannot be treated as a single policy. However the paper identifies a few areas which "call for a shared response" including: -- enhanced regional cooperation, -- improved EU-coordination as part of international coordination and -- enhanced trans-Atlantic cooperation to focus on areas related to the institutional side of security, civilian governance, capacity building and rule of law. Regarding Afghanistan the paper outlines a plan to: -- increase Afghan ownership in reconstruction initiatives -- strengthen rule of law and governance and -- enhance the effectiveness of EU presence and activities in Afghanistan. Regarding Pakistan the paper outlines a plan to: -- support the Malakand Development Strategy, -- strengthen cooperation on democracy, governance and rule of law, -- enhance cooperation on socio-economic development and -- strengthen the EU-Pakistan dialogue and partnership. ¶4. (C) We urged the GOL to use its influence in the EU to fill the 140 approved but vacant EUPOL positions. Navikas said the GOL supports strengthening of the EUPOL mission. (Comment. At present the GOL has four EUPOL resources in Afghanistan including three police mentors and one resource from the prosecutor's office. End comment). The white paper suggests that EUPOL has been hampered by a lack of funding and that the EU is looking into establishing a funding mechanism to support EUPOL activities. ¶5. (C) We asked the GOL to encourage EU member states to begin preparations for specific measures, possibly including additional sanctions if Iran fails to respond to U.S. and EU diplomatic efforts. We also asked the GOL to help advocate for the five Americans missing in Iran. ¶6. (C) Navickas said that the GOL favors the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine and supports EU and U.S. efforts in this area. He expects that the EU special representative will propose deeper EU engagement in the Israeli - Palestinian peace process. He also stated that the GOL supports U.S. diplomatic efforts to freeze Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and in the West Bank. ¶7. (C) Navikas said that the GIMNICH agenda also includes a broad discussion on the EU itself which he referred to as a "contest of smartness" among the participants. He said the discussion will likely center on people, structure, funding, experiences gained and priorities including stability and prosperity in the EU neighborhood, effective crisis management (globally) and relationships with central partners. LEADER