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