SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF DECEMBER 10-11 GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LJUBLJANA 000749 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/NCE E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2017 TAGS: PREL EUN PGOV IR IS BM SY SUBJECT: SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF DECEMBER 10-11 GAERC REF: STATE 164327 Classified By: CDA Maryruth Coleman for reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (U) Emboff delivered Department's points to the MFA's EU Correspondent Aljaz Arih on December 6. EU Enlargement -------------- ¶2. (C) Arih said that Slovenia, as one of the strongest advocates for EU enlargement, agreed with our points. He noted that the EU was still drafting the European Council's conclusions about EU enlargement, and Slovenia was trying to push hard for progress. Arih expressed Slovenia's view that moving to signing SAAs with both Bosnia and Serbia was important. He added that it was highly unlikely that the EU would sign an SAA with Serbia before Kosovo status is finalized. European Neighborhood Policy -------------- ¶3. (C) Arih took our comments on board. He noted that he did not expect to have a long discussion on ENP - the main purpose of the agenda item was for the European Council to present their recommendations for taking the policy further. Kosovo -------------- ¶4. (C) Arih commented that the U.S. position was in line with that of Slovenia. He said the Foreign Ministers would likely issue a statement taking note of the troika's report, but the debate was meant as preparation for the European Council meeting on December 14. He added that Ischinger would give the GAERC a more detailed report of the Troika's conclusions. Taking note of the excellent cooperation in the Quint, he stressed the importance of cooperation with the U.S. Arih reiterated that Kosovo is primarily an EU problem and that the EU had to try to keep unity. He worried that some member states remained reluctant to deal with and also to recognize an independent Kosovo. Arih expressed concern about how the international community would assure that Kosovo would implement the essential elements of the Ahtisaari Plan. He suggested that many EU member states would likely condition their recognition of Kosovo's independence on Kosovo subsequently adopting a constitution that incorporated those necessary elements. He speculated that Kosovo could quickly finalize its constitution after declaring independence. Iran -------------- ¶5. (C) Arih said that Slovenia fully supports an effort to adopt a third UNSCR, but that it would not be easy given the recent NIE on Iran. He noted that some EU member-states were very reluctant to go ahead with EU sanctions. According to Arih, Slovenia thinks that adding entities to the EU's existing designation list would be an extension of existing measures. He added, however, that Slovenia was not keen to proceed with autonomous EU actions. He reiterated that Slovenia prefers to wait to pursue possible EU measures only after the UN process plays out. Israel-Palestinian Peace Process -------------- ¶6. (C) Arih expressed concern that the EU should be involved in the follow-up process of the Israel-Palestinian Peace Process. While acknowledging the central role of the U.S., he worried at the lack of any mention of the Quartet in the Roadmap Implementation. He said the EU had the impression that it was being shunted aside. Sudan -------------- ¶7. (C) Arih said the discussion about Sudan would also include the ESDP missions to Chad and CAR. He explained that there were some difficulties about financing of the operations and providing enough troops. Slovenia currently LJUBLJANA 00000749 002 OF 002 plans to send one soldier to Chad, although it may reconsider and plus that up by a little, but would not send a big contingent. Burma -------------- ¶8. (C) Arih stated that the EU would call for the release of political prisoners, lifting restrictions on ASSK, and refer to the important role of the ASEAN countries. He noted that the EU's envoy, Fassino, will brief Foreign Ministers about the situation on the ground and possible developments. Slovenia will wait to hear Fassino's assessment before considering the question of sanctions and additional measures. COLEMAN