DANISH VIEWS ON JULY 23 EU GAERC MINISTERIAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 000748 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2022 TAGS: KPAL ENRG ETRD ETTC PGOV PREL SOCI DA SUBJECT: DANISH VIEWS ON JULY 23 EU GAERC MINISTERIAL REF: SECSTATE 98749 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Sandra Kaiser, reasons 1.4 b, d ¶1. (C) In discussing reftel demarche points, Lene Mandel of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Foreign Policy Department informed post July 19 that Denmark continues to see eye to eye with the U.S. on most issues on the agenda for the July 23 GAERC meeting. On Kosovo's status, Mandel relayed that Denmark favors a solution based on a UNSC resolution and wants to keep the EU together on the issue, but believes the U.S. and EU must be prepared if events do not go as desired. She indicated that a declaration of independence by Kosovo might present difficulties for Denmark because of UNSC Resolution 1244, and that the MFA's Legal Services Department is looking into the problem and its implications. ¶2. (C) Mandel highlighted Foreign Minister Moeller's recent trip to the Middle East as an indication of the priority Denmark places on resolving the conflict. She stated that it is important for Denmark that the Quartet stay together in pushing for a solution, but also that it is necessary to keep a regional perspective and that a quick solution is needed to keep the problem from spreading throughout the region. She further stated that Denmark sees Israel's recent actions as positive (such as efforts to resume revenue transfers to the PA),but that it is necessary to have a "symmetrical" approach toward Israel that highlights both its positive and negative actions concerning the Palestinians. She also indicated that Denmark has no position yet on the idea of an international peacekeeping force for the Palestinian territories raised by some other EU foreign ministers. ¶3. (C) Mandel informed us that the EU and U.S. must keep the threat of sanctions against Sudan in place to press President Bashir to allow a hybrid peacekeeping force under UN command, while at the same time giving Bashir the opportunity to honor his commitment. She also indicated that Denmark supports the French proposal for an ESDP mission in Chad, but is unable to contribute forces because of Denmark's EU defense opt-out. The Danish government will look into the possibility of contributing a civilian component to the French proposal, however, and is also considering other ways to support efforts in the region to end the conflict in Darfur. ¶4. (C) Mandel stated that Denmark strongly supports the U.S. and EU position on Iran, and that Denmark has fully implemented UNSCR 1737 and 1747-related sanctions. She further relayed that Denmark is in agreement with U.S. views on Albania and Ukraine. KAISER