BELGIUM: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON UNSCR 1718

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 003528 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2016 TAGS: BE PREL KNNP KN PARM SUBJECT: BELGIUM: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON UNSCR 1718 REF: STATE 172816 Classified By: POLCOUNS TED ANDREWS. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) POLOFF relayed reftel points to Geeraard Vanhouche, Counselor for Asian Affairs in the Belgian Foreign Ministry. Vanhouche said Belgium was pleased with the adoption of UNSCR 1718 and supported the measure. Ambassador Korologos also spoke with FM De Gucht to urge continued support for UNSCR ¶1718. In press interviews delivered on October 15, De Gucht again condemned North Korea's nuclear test and supported a firm UN Security Council response. ¶2. (C) Commenting on meetings that three North Korean parliamentarians had at the European Parliament last week, Vanhouche said Belgium was debating whether to have more contacts with North Korea at a working level, but would not do so at high or senior levels. Vanhouche said no meetings were planned in the near future, especially not at Vice Minister level or above. KOROLOGOS .