LITHUANIA WANTS TO KEEP MOLDOVA ON EU TRACK

C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 000077 SIPDIS PASS TO EUR/ACE E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/02/2020 TAGS: PREL OSCE XH MD UP LH SUBJECT: LITHUANIA WANTS TO KEEP MOLDOVA ON EU TRACK Classified By: Charge d'Affairs Damian R. Leader for reasons 1.4 (b) an d (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: MFA Head of Ukraine and Moldova Division Dainius Zikevicius told Embassy February 1 that the goal of Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius in visiting Chisinau January 26-27 and signing a Joint Declaration on Cooperation in the Field of European Integration, was to show support to the government of PM Vlad Filat and outline areas in which Lithuania can assist in keeping Moldova firmly on an EU track. Kubilius also pledged to make Transnistria resolution a priority for the OSCE when Lithuania assumes the chairmanship in 2011. End Summary. ¶2. (C) The Joint Declaration, signed by both Prime Ministers, contains a list of cooperation goals. Zikevicius highlighted some specific areas where Lithuania is already providing assistance. -- As an advocate to the Nordic states for increasing their foreign aid to Moldova: Zikevicius said the Prime Minister's office has sent letters requesting this to Copenhagen, Helsinki, and Stockholm. -- As a facilitator for EU-Moldova visa issues: Zikevicius said Moldova has approximately 1 million emigrants living outside its borders, most of them illegally in countries within the Schengen Zone. The two countries committed to an eventual goal of visa free travel between the EU and Moldova. -- As a supplier of direct assistance in improved customs, agriculture, and food safety: Lithuania spent approximately USD 70,000 in foreign assistance for Moldova in 2009 and Zikevicius expects the 2010 figure will be about the same. This assistance mainly takes the form of seminars, expert exchanges, and parliament to parliament consultation. ¶3. (C) Zikevicius also said the Prime Minister encouraged the Moldovans to take full advantage of the "Eastern Partnership" mechanism to discuss all of these issues with the EU. He also advised the Filat government to keep dialogue open with the opposition Communist party and to find areas of common interest. Zikevicius said a return to power by the Communists should not slow EU integration. ¶4. (C) Comment: Given the GOL's very tight budget situation, its continued financial assistance to Moldova is indicative of the high importance Lithuania attaches to Moldova. Its support has helped keep Moldova high on the OSCE agenda and will do so as OSCE chairman in 2011. Lithuania views its experience in navigating the path from being a former Soviet state to a full EU member as a valuable model for Moldova. LEADER