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


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2005LJUBLJ00497 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL



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