SPAIN'S VIEWS IN ADVANCE OF NOV 22 GAERC: MEPP,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MADRID 004445

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/19/2014
TAGS: PREL SP EUN
SUBJECT: SPAIN'S VIEWS IN ADVANCE OF NOV 22 GAERC: MEPP,
CHINA, KOSOVO, BELARUS, CYPRUS, TURKEY, ESDP

REF: A. STATE 244333

B. MADRID 4444

Classified By: Poloff Ricardo Zuniga for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY. Poloff discussed the Middle East Peace
Process, China, Kosovo, Belarus, Cyprus, ESDP issues, Iran,
and Ukraine with MFA Deputy EU Correspondent Luis Canovas del
Castillo on November 18. Poloff also discussed Spain's views
on Turkey with Juan Aristegui, MFA Subdirector General on EU
Issues, on October 18. Spain believes that there is
currently an opportunity to explore Middle East peace options
that focus around a two-state solution. Spain's views on the
Chinese Arms Embargo, Kosovo, and Cyprus remain unchanged.
Spain and the EU share U.S. concerns over Belarus's human
rights abuses and election problems. Spain favors Turkish
entry into the EU and believes accession talks should start
without delay. Spain favors increased cooperation between
the EU and NATO. Spain and other EU nations are likely to
reward Iran for foresaking nuclear enrichment. END SUMMARY


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MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS
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2. (C) Spain believes that there is currently a moment to
push forward new ideas to promote peace in the Middle East.
With a newly elected U.S. administration, Israel's possible
pull-out from Gaza, and new leadership on the Palestinian
side, there is now a chance to work towards peace. Spain is
a strong proponent of EU security affairs chief Javier
Solana's proposal to keep alive a two-state solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Spain particularly favors
elements of the plan that include the supporting of funding
for elections, more security on the ground, and financial
assistance to the Palestinians.

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CHINA
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3. (C) Spain continues to support a lifting of the Chinese
Arms Embargo with a Code of Conduct.

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KOSOVO
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4. (C) Canovas said that Kosovo was not on the agenda for
the GAERC meetings, but the EU supports efforts of the
Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) Soren
Jessen-Petersen to transfer additional competencies to the
Provisional Institutions of Self-Government (PISG) to build
capacity and help them meet standards.

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BELARUS
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5. (C) Spain and the EU share the U.S.'s concerns about the
human rights situation in Belarus. Aleksandr Lukashenka
leads an authoritarian regime whose goal is to perpetuate
power. At the GAERC meetings, the EU will likely ratify
conclusions of an EU report that condemns the Lukashenka
regime. Additionally, the EU could possibly impose sanctions
on Belarus.

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CYPRUS
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6. (C) Spain's position within the EU is unchanged on aid
and trade to North Cyprus. Spain supports efforts to assist
North Cyprus with direct aid and increased trade and
cooperation.

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TURKEY
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7. (C) Spain has always favored Turkish entry into the EU.
Aristegui told Poloff that Spain believes that Turkish
accession talks should start without delay in 2005, but that
Spain will try to work for an EU consensus and achieve a date
for accession talks that is the best for Turkey's candidacy.
EU members are awaiting the European Parliaments' first draft
report on Turkey's ability to meet EU political criteria.
According to Aristegui, this report could go against earlier
recommendations of the European Commission that had been more
optimistic about when Turkey might enter the EU.
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ESDP ISSUES
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8. (C) Spain favors increased cooperation between the EU
and NATO and respects the Berlin-Plus arrangements. The EU
and NATO have worked well together in areas of the former
Yugoslavia. Spain will form its own Battlegroup and is ready
to cooperate with other allies.


OTHER ISSUES

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IRAN
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9. (C) EU member states will likely discuss Iran at the
GAERC meetings. Spain believes that EU states should show
more willingness to cooperate and trade with Iran after its
recent gesture to stop nuclear enrichment.

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UKRAINE
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10. C) The EU hopes for clean and fair elections in the
Ukraine. Regardless of who wins the election, Spain will
carry on a dialogue with the Ukrainian government, as Ukraine
is an EU neighbor of strategic importance (Ref B).

ARGYROS