SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF GAERC (JULY 18-19)

C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000497 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2015 TAGS: PREL EAID SI SUBJECT: SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF GAERC (JULY 18-19) REF: SECSTATE 124856 Classified By: COM Thomas B. Robertson for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Pol/Econ chief discussed reftel points with Peter Grk of the MFA's EU Division on July 14. The GoS seems generally to be in agreement with and to support U.S. positions on the issues covered. Grk reiterated Slovenia's consistent support for opening Accession negotiations with Turkey, terming them, however, an "open ended process" He also expressed the view that the EU must assist Turkey in its efforts to meet the criteria set out for accession. For the UN HLE, Grk said development and climate change are priorities. He took on board the points about UNSC expansion agreeing that efficiency should be a concern. (NB. in other meetings, the GOS has expressed support for the G-4 proposal.) Grk said Syria/Lebanon would be discussed at lunch so no decisions would be taken. He agreed, however, that it was important to remain firm with Syria, insisting on adherence to UNSCR 1559 and 1595. He said the GoS thought the EU-3 were doing a good job with Iran and favors staying firm with Iran. ¶2. (C) On Uzbekistan, Grk said that Slovenia was maintaining a more neutral stance on this discussion but providing information and insight as needed from its point of view as CiO of the OSCE. He voiced concern about the refugee situation saying that we needed to find a way to avoid their forced return to Uzbekistan. When asked about the potential arms embargo, Grk responded that he "would like to know, too." It seems the jury is still out on how that will be resolved. ROBERTSON NNNN 2005LJUBLJ00497 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL v1.6.2