SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF THE JUNE 13 GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000382 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2015 TAGS: PREL PARM SI SUBJECT: SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF THE JUNE 13 GAERC REF: SECSTATE 105235 Classified By: COM Thomas B. Robertson for Reasons 1.4 (b) (d) ¶1. (C) Pol/Econ Chief met with the MFA EU Department's Peter Grk to deliver points in advance of June 13 GAERC. On the Balkans and Kosovo, Grk said that although opinions ranged in the EU on how and when Balkan countries should enter the EU, there is consensus that EU integration is the ultimate goal. Grk said Slovenia has not missed an opportunity to comment on Kosovo and the Balkans at GAERC meetings and is working to maintain momentum within the EU on the accession process for countries in the region. Concerning the impact of the recent no-votes in France and the Netherlands on the Constitutional Treaty, the GoS shares the view of Luxembourg that the ratification process of the Constitutional Treaty should continue. Grk said that the no-votes would affect enlargement, but only in terms of timing saying that the window for Balkan accession is "always open." Looking ahead, Grk said the Government of Slovenia will focus on Balkan issues during its 2008 EU presidency and understands that the UK will also during its upcoming presidency. ¶2. (C) Grk said that the GoS shared U.S. concerns about Iran and agreed that Iran should be held to the Paris Agreements. He also agreed that pressure should be applied from the international community for more democratic elections, however, Grk did not seem optimistic that it would have much impact on June 17 presidential elections. According to Grk, the EU Council will issue a declaration on Lebanon, but he did not expect further discussion at the June GAERC. Noting the upcoming June 21-22 conference in Brussels on Iraq, Grk thinks that Iraq will be the most important item on the GAERC agenda. Grk welcomed our points on the China Arms Embargo and mentioned that the EU Council will be discussing the issue. ROBERTSON NNNN 2005LJUBLJ00382 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL v1.6.2