Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ROME5490
2003-12-05 17:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:  

ITALY'S EU PRESIDENCY: RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON

Tags:  IT PREL EUN 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 005490 

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2013
TAGS: IT PREL EUN
SUBJECT: ITALY'S EU PRESIDENCY: RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON
GAERC AND SUMMIT MEETINGS

REF: A. STATE 331930

B. ROME 5448

CLASSIFIED BY: POL M/C THOMAS COUNTRYMAN FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 005490

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2013
TAGS: IT PREL EUN
SUBJECT: ITALY'S EU PRESIDENCY: RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON
GAERC AND SUMMIT MEETINGS

REF: A. STATE 331930

B. ROME 5448

CLASSIFIED BY: POL M/C THOMAS COUNTRYMAN FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D).


1. (SBU) EMBOFFS DELIVERED POINTS REF A TO APPROPRIATE MFA
INTERLOCUTORS. THIS MESSAGE TRANSMITS RESPONSES TO BALKANS
AND IRAQ POINTS. REF B DESCRIBES PRESIDENCY VIEWS ON IGC
ISSUES AND PROCESS. MFA RECEIVED REMAINING POINTS WITHOUT
COMMENT.

--------------
IRAQ
--------------


2. (C) GIAMPAOLO CANTINI, DIRECTOR OF THE GLOBAL AFFAIRS
OFFICE AT THE MFA AND CHAIR OF THE EU CLEARINGHOUSE,
CONFIRMED THAT ITALY SUPPORTS THE EU DESIGNATION OF KADEK AS
THE SUCCESSOR GROUP TO THE PKK. ALTHOUGH NO OFFICIAL
DECISION HAS BEEN TAKEN YET, HE ASSUMES THAT THE GOI WOULD
CONCUR WITH THE DESIGNATION OF THE KURDISTAN PEOPLES'
CONGRESS (PHK) AS THE SUCCESSOR GROUP TO PKK/KADEK. HE ADDED
THAT THE EU CLEARINGHOUSE WILL MEET DECEMBER 15. THE HAMAS
CHARITIES AND PKK/KADEK/KDK ARE THE MAIN POINTS ON THE
AGENDA. THE ITALIAN PRESIDENCY IS CURRENTLY POLLING MEMBER
STATES TO DETERMINE WHETHER ANY STATES HAVE CHANGED THEIR
POSITIONS ON THESE GROUPS SINCE THE LAST MEETING.

--------------
BALKANS
--------------


3. (C) MFA BALKANS OFFICE DIRECTOR FERNANDO GENTILINI
CONFIRMED TO POLOFF THAT ITALY - BILATERALLY AND IN ITS
PRESIDENCY ROLE - WAS IN FULL AGREEMENT WITH THE US ON THE
STATE-OF-PLAY AND WAY AHEAD FOR BALKANS STABILITY AS OUTLINED
REF A. ITALY IS WORKING WITH ITS EU PARTNERS TO FINALIZE THE
AGENDA AND GUEST LIST FOR THE EU-BALKANS FOREIGN MINISTER'S
MEETING ON DECEMBER 9. GENTILINI NOTED THAT AS OF 12-04 THE
KOSOVO SERB DELEGATION HAD REFUSED ITS INVITATION.


4. (C) GENTILINI WAS IN THE PROCESS OF DRAFTING THE BALKANS
PORTION OF THE COUNCIL STATEMENT. HE SAID THAT IT WOULD NOTE
THE PROGRESS IN THE REGION OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS, AND
PRAISE THE EU STABILITY AND ASSOCIATION'S ROLE IN FOSTERING
REGIONAL COOPERATION. HOWEVER, IT WILL ALSO NOTE THAT THE
PACE OF REFORMS IS TOO SLOW, AND CALL ON THE COUNTRIES IN THE
REGION TO ASSUME MORE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN DESTINIES.
SEMBLER

NNNN
2003ROME05490 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL