LITHUANIA WANTS TO KEEP MOLDOVA ON EU TRACK

C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 000077

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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