SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF OCTOBER 15-16 FOREIGN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LJUBLJANA 000632 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/09/2017 TAGS: EUN PREL PGOV ETRD ETTC KPAL YI RS LY IS IZ IR, SY, LE, CD, MS, SI SUBJECT: SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF OCTOBER 15-16 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING (GAERC) REF: STATE 141316 Classified By: CDA Maryruth Coleman, Reasons 1.4 (B, d) ¶1. (U) This is an action request cable, please see para. 4. ¶2. (SBU) On October 9, P/E Chief delivered reftel's points to MFA Director of EU Affairs Matej Marn. He offered the following: WTO/DDA -------------- ¶3. (C) Marn commented that WTO/DDA would be a short point on the GAERC agenda - Commissioner Mandelson would present the state of play and, if there were a discussion, France would reply. Kosovo -------------- ¶4. (C) Marn noted that the discussion on Kosovo over lunch would be important in the EU's efforts to reach consensus. He doubted, however, that the Foreign Ministers would discuss recognition of an independent Kosovo. He speculated that there would not be much substantial debate, but that members would call for contingency planning and unity. He added that the status issue should not affect the International Civilian Office, but that there were still "different approaches" to the ESDP Rule of Law Mission. He explained that the Kosovo discussion would link to a discussion about Serbia. After lunch, Carla Del Ponte would brief FMs about Serbia's cooperation with ICTY - an important indicator of what the EU could expect. Marn inquired as to whether the U.S. would support the idea of holding a conference if there were substantive progress by the end of November and both sides showed readiness for real negotiations. Post requests Washington's views about a possible conference. Russia -------------- ¶5. (C) Marn said that the FMs would not have a substantial debate about Russia at the GAERC, but would adopt the agreed points from COREPER 2 as to the EU position for the October 26 EU-Russia Summit. Noting that the political directors had discussed missile defense in Moscow last week without any progress, he commented that the EU looked to direct discussions between the U.S. and Russia for real development. Marn noted Slovenia's agreement with the U.S. position on CFE, as well as the need for a more coherent EU external energy strategy. He stated that he expected the European Council to announce a new energy and climate change package in 2008 during Slovenia's presidency, but that they were still waiting for the Commission's proposal. Middle East Issues -------------- ¶6. (C) Libya - Marn did not expect the GAERC discussion to reach any conclusions. He explained that Slovenia did not have much to say, but that France and Italy would lead the discussion. Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process - Marn stressed that Slovenia was very interested in the date of the international meeting planned for later this year, as well as whether Syria would be invited. He commented that it would be good to have a conference that would enable real progress. Iraq - Marn said that the FMs would debate how to enhance the EU's role in Iraq. He predicted that there would be some short conclusions about EU concerns regarding the security situation there. He noted that some other EU states were LJUBLJANA 00000632 002 OF 002 interested in expanding their cooperation. Iran - Marn explained that the EU and the U.S. had different views about Iran. The EU is waiting for El-Bareidi's report and then will reconsider possible sanctions; however, he predicted that it would be hard to get consensus for broadening sanctions. He confirmed that the debate will be about France's proposal for autonomous measures. He commented that a third UNSCR resolution is "almost unavoidable," but doubted it would be broadened. Syria-Lebanon Border - Marn said that the Spanish FM would present the issue and France would question Syria's seriousness. According to Marn, Slovenia agrees with the U.S. that the EU should consult with Lebanon and that any border mission should also be on the Lebanese side of the border. Marn added that Slovenia is not considering a troop contribution to a border mission. Chad -------------- ¶7. (C) Marn stressed that although the timetable for deployment of a new mission is not yet clear, Slovenia agrees it is necessary and that it should be deployed as soon as possible. Marn clarified that the peacekeeping operation would enure security around, not in, the Chad-based refugee camps. He hinted that Slovenia might decide to send a couple of troops to participate in the mission. COLEMAN