GREECE: GAERC DEMARCHES DELIVERED

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000793 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2017 TAGS: ETRD PREL KPAL IS IR GR SUBJECT: GREECE: GAERC DEMARCHES DELIVERED REF: A. SECSTATE 51262 ¶B. SECSTATE 52623 Classified By: POLCOUNS ROBIN QUINVILLE. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) On April 19-20, DepPolCouns delivered ref a and b points to MFA A11 Directorate for European Cooperation Correspondent Penny Douti and C1 Directorate for EU External Relations First Secretary Ioannis Vikelidis. ¶2. (C) Their substantive comments on issues included the following: -- SUDAN: Douti expected a "big discussion" on Sudan. The Special Representative of the UN SYG on Sudan would brief on the current status of the situation. Douti expected the EU to issue a tough statement and to exert pressure on Sudan. -- U.S.-EU AIR TRANSPORT AGREEMENT: Douti expected the signing a few days before the summit to have a positive psychological effect. It would demonstrate how tough issues could be dealt with constructively and contribute to cooperation. Energy and climate change were the most difficult aspects, since the U.S. was not ready for binding text on CO2 emissions. -- WTO DOHA ROUND: Vikelidis noted EU and U.S. differences on IPR and agricultural issues, though he agreed that there was now encouraging momentum. -- TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONS/U.S.-EU SUMMIT: Douti did not foresee any difficulties and predicted movement forward. ¶3. (C) On ref b regarding Cuba, Douti mentioned that the U.S. position was well known and that she would raise our points with the Foreign Minister. RIES