SWEDES ON 11/12 DECEMBER GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 STOCKHOLM 001921

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM UNAUS EUN VY SR BK IS LE IR
SW
SUBJECT: SWEDES ON 11/12 DECEMBER GAERC

REF: A. STATE 195044

B. STATE 194456

Classified By: Polcouns Casey Christensen, reason 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (c) Polcouns discussed 12/7 with MFA deputy European
Correspondent Niclas Kvarnstrom the 12/11-12 GAERC topics
(reftels). Responses are keyed to the agenda items.

Turkey/EU Accession
--------------

2. (c) Sweden considers itself to be one of the most
enlargement-friendly countries; FM Bildt has publicly called
for the EU to keep the EU door open for Turkey. Bildt
released a statement 11/8 welcoming the Turkish report that
Turkey intended to open a harbor to Cypriot ships. He said
"this would be a positive step," and was "very significant
for Turkey's continued process toward membership." In the
internal EU debate, Kvarnstrom said Sweden had hoped to
reduce the number of chapters of "acquis communitaires"
affected to less than eight, but this might not be possible.

Western Balkans
--------------

3. (c) Kvarnstrom said Sweden's views on Kosovo track very
closely with our own. Sweden wants status issue to be
resolved as early as possible. According to Kvarnstrom, FM
Bildt, who has extensive experience in the Balkans, is taking
a very hands-on approach to all Balkan issues. According to
Kvarnstrom, Bildt intervened with UN Envoy Ahtasaari on the
timing of the submission of his proposals to the parties,
seeking to ensure that Serbian parliamentary elections did
not detrimentally affect the status issue. Sweden wants the
status issue to be resolved as quickly as possible following
the Serbian elections.


4. (c) On Serbia, Sweden believes it will be important for
the EU to send a signal to Serbia giving it a clear prospect
of eventually joining the EU. This could be in the form of
visa facilitation, for example. At the same time, it was
important not to compromise on ICTY cooperation.


5. (c) Sweden does not expect Bosnia to be a focus of
discussion, pending formation of a government there.

Israeli-Palestinian Issues
--------------

6. (c) Sweden does not believe the Zapatero/Chirac
initiative will find sufficient backing in the EU. Some of
the proposals, such as to appoint an EU special
representative, might be supported. Sweden remains committed
to the Road Map, the Quartet principles, and a two-state
solution. Swedes are concerned about the humanitarian effect
of continued freezing of the Palestinian customs revenues.
In the event of the formation of a unity government, and if
the right signals are sent in regard to adhesion to Quartet
principles, Sweden believes a greater opening to the
Palestinians should be considered.

Lebanon
--------------

7. (c) Sweden believes it is very important to support the
Siniora government, and has committed a corvette to UNIFIL
for marine patrolling.

Iran
--------------

8. (c) Iran is not expected to be a major topic of
discussion, with action at the UNSC.

Afghanistan
--------------

9. (c) Sweden is a large donor to Afghanistan, has a long
history of a presence there, and currently leads a PRT.
Sweden believes it is time for the EU to increase its
engagement in Afghanistan, and will argue for this. Sweden
support an increased role in rule of law, and notes there is
an EU rule of law mission currently reviewing the situation
in Afghanistan.

China Arms
--------------

10. (c) Kvarnstrom said the Sweden felt isolated in December
2004 when it was "the last country" holding out against the
French initiative to remove the EU arms embargo against
China. Sweden eventually caved in on the issue, but
eventually reversed its position, and noted that many other
EU countries did the same following high-level U.S.
diplomatic interventions underscoring the importance of the
embargo to the U.S. and Asian security interests. Kvarnstrom
welcomed information that this issue was again being raised
by the U.S. in other EU capitals (ref b),as it would serve

STOCKHOLM 00001921 002 OF 002


to prevent another situation where Sweden could find itself
isolated in opposing a lifting of the EU's China arms embargo.
WOOD