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