SPAIN ON THE NOVEMBER 21 GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 004025

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2015
TAGS: KPAL ETRD PREL SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN ON THE NOVEMBER 21 GAERC

REF: SECSTATE 208899

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


1. (C) Poloff delivered Reftel talking points to Carlos
Fernandez-Arias, MFA EU Policy Coordinator. Fernandez-Arias
said that Kosovo, Syria and Ukraine were not on the
agenda.Defense issue points were passed to contacts who deal
with defense issues, and when post has a response, we will
pass it to the Dept. We are also seeking more information
about Spain's intentions in terms of bilats with Syria at the
Barcelona Process anniversary. Any information received will
be communicated septel.


2. (C) On Iraq, Fernandez-Arias expects that the EU will
discuss ways to support the political process and
reconstruction. Spain maintains its Iraq Donor Conference
commitment and will support the electoral observer mission in
December. Spain also feels it is important to involve the
Arab League in the process, to keep neighboring countries
interested and involved.


3. (C) Spain feels that the EU operation at the Rafa border
crossing is of great political importance for the region, and
is thus contributing specialized personnel. They also will
support the Palestinian Electoral Council elections in
January, and are hopeful they can happen peacefully. Spain is
concerned about Israeli activity in East Jerusalem and will
bring this up at the GAERC.


4. (C) Fernandez-Arias said that Spain is in complete
agreement with USG views on Bosnia and is hopeful that the
SAA process can help bring about stability in the country.


5. (U) Fernandez-Arias noted that Iran will also likely be a
topic of discussion, and that the EU-3 and High Rep Javier
Solana will update the Ministers on recent events.
AGUIRRE