NE ASIAN TRILATERAL DISCUSSES DPRK, CENTRAL ASIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 003770 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/CM, EAP/K AND EAP/RSP E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2017 TAGS: PREL ENRG JA KN KS CH ZK XF SUBJECT: NE ASIAN TRILATERAL DISCUSSES DPRK, CENTRAL ASIA AND MIDDLE EAST Classified By: Acting Political External Unit Chief Mark Tesone. Reaso ns 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) The June 3 Northeast Asian Trilateral Foreign Minister's Meeting focused on discussion of the North Korean nuclear issue, regional cooperation and policies towards Central Asia and the Middle East, MFA Asia Department Multilateral Affairs Division Deputy Director He Xiangqi told poloff. The meeting fit into the pre-existing framework for trilateral cooperation, He said, but South Korea sought to regularize and raise the profile of the meeting, even though there is not yet a decision on when the next session will take place. ¶2. (C) In a two hour meeting, the foreign ministers first discussed trilateral cooperation, focusing on energy and environment, cultural exchange and science and technology. Study of trilateral investment and free trade agreements will continue, but made no concrete progress. Later, the FMs discussed regional and international issues, highlighted by their concern over the DPRK nuclear issue and desire to resume Six-Party Talks, He said. Finally, the FMs compared notes on Chinese, Japanese and ROK policy towards the Middle East and Central Asia, with a focus on current events and energy security. China also briefed on its foreign policy and energy security issues in Africa, she said. ¶3. (C) FM Yang remained in the ROK for the Sixth Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD),involving representatives from 30 Asian countries, He said. The talks focused on international and regional issues, as well as the ACD's institutional capacity. FM Yang urged the ACD to continue basic capacity building for less developed member states, to focus on Asia and to study whether expansion and establishment of a formal Secretariat is necessary, He told us. SIPDIS PICCUTA