TURKEY: FS MILIBAND ADVOCATES BOLD EU STEPS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002332

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2017
TAGS: EUN IR IZ PREL SY TU UK
SUBJECT: TURKEY: FS MILIBAND ADVOCATES BOLD EU STEPS

REF: ANKARA 222

Classified By: Political Counselor Janice Weiner for Reasons 1.4 (b) an
d (d)


1. (C) Summary and Comment: UK Foreign Secretary David
Miliband utilized his first visit to Turkey to urge the GOT
to take bold moves on EU accession. Regarding Cyprus,
Miliband pressed for responsible Turkish engagement. FM
Babacan's pitch for increased UK engagement with Syria fell
flat. Miliband's EU-centric approach appears in synch with
PM Erdogan and President Gul's renewed focus on EU-related
reforms, which has been on the back burner for the past year.
End Summary and Comment.


2. (C) In the first high-level visit to Turkey since
formation of the new government, UK Foreign Secretary David
Miliband used his meetings with PM Tayyip Erdogan, President
Abdullah Gul, and Foreign Minister Ali Babacan to press for
continued EU-related domestic reforms. UK Embassy officials
report that Miliband encouraged Turkey to engage the EU and
advocate for its candidacy. As a starting point, Miliband
suggested that amending Article 301 and resolving the Greek
Orthodox patriarch issues would go far in countering the EU
member states' negative views of Turkey. Domestically,
Miliband also proposed that the GOT make a concerted effort
to change increasingly negative Turkish public opinion toward
Turkey's EU bid.


3. (C) Miliband told FM and lead-EU negotiator Babacan that
"now is the time for bold moves," urging renewed momentum in
Turkey's EU accession process. He focused specifically on
political reforms and Cyprus as areas for improvement.
Miliband warned that Turkey's disruptive behavior in
international organizations, such as in NATO regarding ESDP
and in OSCE regarding Cyprus, has begun to garner "ill will
from good friends." Regarding Cyprus, Miliband urged the GOT
to take bold unilateral steps to avoid being placed on the
defensive by the Greek Cypriots. GOT officials indicated
that starting any major initiative would have to wait until
after Cyprus' presidential election early next year. Babacan
expressed frustration at Cyprus' apparent lack of interest in
negotiating. Encouraging Babacan to keep up the pressure,
Miliband reiterated that Turkey "has a friend" in the UK.


4. (C) Erdogan, Gul, and Babacan all commented on the
perceived lack of U.S. action against the terrorist PKK, with
Erdogan stating that Turkish patience was running out.
Miliband and Babacan discussed growing reports of PKK
extortion attempts on Turkish businessmen in London.
Miliband repeatedly emphasized that the PKK is not receiving
support from the USG.


5. (C) The Iraq discussions focused primarily on economic
development. Calling for increased participation from
Turkish companies, Miliband underscored the dire need for
investment in Basra and Southern Iraq. GOT officials spoke
about developing a Basra industrial zone similar to the
project that the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of
Turkey (TOBB) is working on in Erez, Gaza (REFTEL). Miliband
confirmed that he would attend the Iraq Neighbors Conference
ministerial to be held in Istanbul October 31-November 1.
President Gul noted that Iraqi President Talabani could be
visiting Turkey in the near future.


6. (C) Regarding other regional issues, Turkish officials
reported having conveyed "tough messages" to Iran on the need
to cooperate with the international community on the nuclear
issue. Babacan urged greater UK engagement with Syria.
Miliband responded that the UK's previous attempts had not
reaped sufficient results. Syria would need to exert more
effort if the UK was to initiate any further engagement.
Turkish officials also expressed interest in the
U.S.-proposed Middle East peace process conference, but were
uncertain of its prospects and planning.


Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/

WILSON