DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON APPROACHING THE EU IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L NICOSIA 000533 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2016 TAGS: PREL ECON ETRD SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON APPROACHING THE EU IN ADVANCE OF THE APRIL 10 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING (GAERC) REF: SECSTATE 53022 Classified By: Ambassador Ronald L. Schlicher; Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche on April 7 to relevant action officers at the MFA. Charalambos Hajdisavvas, who handles the Middle East portfolio in the Political Affairs Division, stressed EU support for Syria's continued isolation and highlighted the EU's decision to freeze its proposed Association Agreement with Damascus. With regard to the Middle East Peace Process, Hadjisavvas expressed concern that Hamas has further damaged its reputation within the international community by its rejection of the Quartet's three principles of nonviolence, recognizing Israel, and accepting all previous agreements and obligations, including the Roadmap for Peace. He repeated the EU's continued support for the Roadmap. ¶2. (C) Elena Rafti, who handles the Balkans in the MFA's European Affairs Division stated that the EU supports the U.S. position that Belgrade and Pristina should be encouraged to continue constructive dialogue. She anticipates the EU will continue to play a leading role in Kosovo following a decision on status. Rafti also stressed the EU's support for EU and NATO membership for the Western Balkans. SCHLICHER