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