SPAIN: LATEST ON EU ARMS EMBARGO ON CHINA

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 004488

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/24/2014
TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC CH SP EUN
SUBJECT: SPAIN: LATEST ON EU ARMS EMBARGO ON CHINA

REF: STATE 247288

Classified By: Political Counselor Kathleen Fitzpatrick for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).

Spain likely will not oppose a positive signal to China on
the eventual lifting of the EU arms embargo in connection
with the EU-China summit. Charge raised our concerns on the
issue with National Security advisor Carlos Casajuana, and
poloff reiterated these with MFA EU officials. Both
indicated that the GOS's policy had not changed: the GOS
favors eventual lifting of the arms embargo under conditions
of an improved human rights climate in China, and with a
strengthened EU code of conduct. MFA officials indicated
that at the December 8 EU-China summit or at the December 17
EU Council meeting, any such positive statement would refer
to eventual lifting of the embargo on condition of improved
human rights practices. MFA noted that the current
government's position on lifting the arms embargo remains
consistent with the approach of the previous government.
MANZANARES