GOI PARTICIPATION IN TRANSATLANTIC ENERGY

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001335

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2016
TAGS: ENRG EPET ECON PREL IT EU
SUBJECT: GOI PARTICIPATION IN TRANSATLANTIC ENERGY
CONFERENCE

REF: STATE 63866

Classified By: Acting EcMin Kathleen Reddy for reasons 1.4 (c) and (d)


1. (C) As instructed reftel, DCM and A/Ecmin met April 28
with Dutch DCM Joost Reintjes and Senior Economic Advisor
Chris Schoenmakers to discuss European energy security issues
and GON plans for a May 18 Conference on Transatlantic Energy
Security. DCM Reintjes requested USG assistance in
determining whether the Italian Foreign Minister will attend
the May 18 conference, and expressed concern that without a
sufficiently high level of representation from EU Member
States, the conference will not be able to make progress on
policy-level energy security issues.


2. (C) In a subsequent conversation between A/Ecmin and MFA
Director General for Multilateral Economic Affairs
Giandomenico Magliano (Undersecretary for Economic Affairs
(E)-equivalent),Magliano said the recent change in
government made it unclear whether the Foreign Minister would
be able to attend. Magliano, who was traveling until May 2,
added it is unlikely FM Fini will attend in the last days of
the current government. Similarly, Magliano thinks it
unlikely the next Foreign Minister will choose to attend the
May 18 conference in the opening days of a new government.
The current GOI plan, according to Magliano, is for the
Italian Ambassador to the Netherlands to represent the GOI at
the conference.


3. (C) Comment. The Dutch DCM's request for assistance
reflects GON concern regarding the level of representation at
the May 18 conference. The timing of the conference and the
pace of forming a new Italian government is such that GOI
participation at the ministerial level is highly unlikely.
End comment.
SPOGLI