SPAIN CONTINUES TO SUPPORT SIX-PARTY ITER FRAMEWORK

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 004486 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/WE, STAS, EAP/J, AND OES/SAT E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/24/2014 TAGS: TNGD TRGY TSPL ENRG PREL SUBJECT: SPAIN CONTINUES TO SUPPORT SIX-PARTY ITER FRAMEWORK REF: A. SECSTATE 249727 ¶B. MADRID 4427 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: ECONCOUNS WHITNEY BAIRD PER 1.4 (B/D) (C) ESTHOFF made Ref A points November 24 to Science Ministry Technology Policy Director General Carlos Alejaldre Losilla, underscoring U.S. commitment to the six-party ITER framework and urging Spain to argue within EU deliberations in favor of the six-party framework and against any unilateral action. Alejaldre, who will lead the Spanish delegation during the ITER discussions at the November 25-6 Brussels meeting of the EU Competitiveness Council, told ESTHOFF that his views had not changed since he had met with ESTHOFF November 12 to discuss ITER and other matters (see Ref B). Alejaldre reiterated that Spain will argue strenuously within the EU to maintain the six-party framework. He underscored, however, that Spain would of course support whatever decision emerges from the November 25-6 meetings. MANZANARES