US embassy cable - 05VILNIUS410

UNCLAS VILNIUS 000410 
 
SIPDIS 
 
Dept for EUR/NB 
FRANKFURT FOR RCO - BARBARA ARMSTRONG 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CVIS, PGOV, OVIP, LH, HT43 
SUBJECT: PROPOSED VISA WAIVER PROGRAM ROADMAP FOR 
LITHUANIA 
 
REF(S): A) STATE 067069 B) STATE 026010 C) 04 STATE 
 
172283 
 
1.  After consulting with Vaidotas Verba, Director of the 
MFA's Consular Department, we wish to propose the 
following draft visa waiver program roadmap, which is 
based on the roadmap the USG announced last February with 
Poland.  We request urgent approval of this proposed 
roadmap so that it may be announced before the 
Secretary's visit to Vilnius April 20 and 21. 
 
SIPDIS 
 
2.  Begin text:  The Government of the United States and 
the Lithuanian government recognize the continued close 
and fruitful cooperation of the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius 
and Ministry of Foreign Affairs on consular issues.  As a 
demonstration of our commitment to deepen our countries' 
ties of friendship, we agree on the following Visa 
Roadmap of reciprocal steps so that Lithuania can take 
the steps needed to qualify for potential future 
participation in the Visa Waiver Program.  The Lithuanian 
government reiterates its commitment to complete the 
program's prerequisites, while the Government of the 
United States commits to offer technical advice and 
assistance. 
 
-- The U.S. Embassy and the Lithuanian government commit 
to establish a formal Consular Working Group that will 
meet regularly to discuss work on the roadmap. 
 
-- The Lithuanian government commits to meet biometric 
and other technical and security criteria of VWP. 
 
-- The U.S. Embassy in Vilnius commits to review the 
assumptions under which the Consular Section applies 
criteria for tourist and business visas in light of the 
improving economic conditions in Lithuania as a result of 
EU membership. 
 
-- The United States and Lithuania agree to cooperate in 
conducting in 2006 a new baseline study of tourist visa 
non-adjusted overstay rates based on 2005 data. 
 
-- The Lithuanian government, in cooperation with the 
U.S. Embassy, commit to launch a public campaign urging 
their citizens not to overstay or otherwise abuse their 
tourist visas. 
 
-- The United States agrees to offer the government of 
Lithuania technical advice, training and assistance as 
feasible. 
 
-- The United States and Lithuania commit to review 
periodically the progress made toward meeting the 
legislative criteria for the Visa Waiver Program.   End 
Text. 
 
MULL