GERMAN VIEWS ON MARCH FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 000431 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/01/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV ENRG EUN KPAL GM SUBJECT: GERMAN VIEWS ON MARCH FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING REF: STATE 23592 Classified By: Political Counselor Jeff Rathke for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche to Thomas Schieb, Deputy EU Correspondent at the MFA, and relayed the points to the Chancellery, Economic Ministry, and Environment Ministry. On Kosovo, Schieb said that Germany remained committed to the Ahtisaari timeline and was hopeful that a new UNSC resolution would be voted on before July. ¶2. (C) On the Middle East, Schieb said that the EU was still waiting to see the exact composition of the Palestinian National Unity Government. Germany and the EU remain firmly committed to the Quartet principles; however, they would like to acknowledge any positive actions by the new Palestinian government. For the upcoming GAERC, the EU is purposefully saying nothing to avoid any appearance of straying from the Quartet and its most recent actions. On Iran, Schieb stated that the EU common position now allowed the EU to implement the UN sanctions and also allowed the EU to draw up a visa ban list; however, creating this list will be difficult due technical and legal reasons. ¶3. (C) Schieb said Germany has made a concerted effort to create a Sudan/AMIS financing package for the foreign ministers to consider at the GAERC. Schieb said that the package presented next week will include 40 million euros of unobligated funds from the European Development Fund (EDF) and additional unobligated EDF money might become available later. Germany plans to make a bilateral pledge of up to 20 million, and a few other member states are expected to make similar pledges. Schieb said Germany's ability to raise additional money was hindered by donors' concerns over how the Sudanese government might abuse the proposed aid. This experience has convinced some in the MFA that more most be done to sanction the current government. ¶4. (C) On Uzbekistan, Schieb said that the situation has not improved and that the current EU sanctions will be extended another three months when they will come up for review at the June European Council meeting. KOENIG