GOL FOCUSED ON SOUTHERN CAUCASUS AT GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 000479

SIPDIS

FOR SCA/INSB: ARENZULLI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN LH PHUM PREF PTER MASS SOCI
SUBJECT: GOL FOCUSED ON SOUTHERN CAUCASUS AT GAERC

REF: A. VILNIUS 466

B. SECSTATE 92641

Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY CHARGE D'AFFAIRES DAMIAN LEADER, FOR REASO
NS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) The head of MFA's Common Foreign and Security Policy
Division, Egidijus Navikas told us that Foreign Minister
Usackas will speak in favor of new generation treaties with
the Southern Caucasus at the GAERC session on September
14-15. He said FM Usackas will also suggest that energy
security be added to the agenda for the next European Council
discussion.


2. (C) Navikas shared an "orientation note" on the Southern
Caucasus prepared by the Swedish Presidency (sent to EUR/NB,
EUR/ERA) which highlights the EU strategy of inclusiveness
and differentiation. According to the note, the EU plans an
inclusive approach to develop relations with Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Georgia, giving each country a similar degree
of political attention. At the same time the EU expects
relations with Southern Caucasus states will progress based
on the willingness of each individual partner. New
Partnership and Cooperation Agreements may be tailored to
address the specific needs of each country and timelines may
differ.


3. (C) Navikas said that the Ministers' dinner discussion
will focus on Iran. He expressed concern over recent arrests
of EU citizens and some Embassy personnel. We took the
opportunity to repeat our previous request (reftel A) that
the GOL and the EU advocate for the missing Americans.
Navikas said the Ministers will continue discussion on
Afghanistan elections and said the EU's Afghanistan -
Pakistan strategy will likely be adopted in October. He said
they will also discuss the EUPOL mission. We thanked the GOL
for its contributions to EUPOL and urged the EU to fund and
fill vacant EUPOL positions.


4. (C) We also delivered talking points on the situation in
Sri Lanka (reftel B) and stressed the importance of
coordinated international action to assist the internally
displaced persons (IDPs). Navikas noted that the topic of
Sri Lanka was removed from the GAERC agenda and is unlikely
to be discussed. We emphasized our concern that the monsoon
season is an imminent threat to the IDPs and Navikas agreed
to flag the issue for his Director.
LEADER