FRANCE/GYMNICH: FUNDAMENTAL AGREEMENT ON ALL ISSUES

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 001220 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/27/2017 TAGS: EUN KPAL PREL XG IS IR ZI SUBJECT: FRANCE/GYMNICH: FUNDAMENTAL AGREEMENT ON ALL ISSUES Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt for reaso ns 1.4 b and d. ¶1. (U) We shared reftel points with MFA CFSP Deputy Emmanuel Cohet (all points),Bosnian desk officer Michel Clerx (Bonsia points),and Kosovo desk officer Herve Boisguillaume (Serbia and Kosovo points). ¶2. (C) Bosnia: Clerx said Bosnia is not on the Gymnich agenda. That said, the French agree that a new High Representative needs to be named, but expect these discussions to be more of a priority next month, as the next PIC is not until June. Clerx said he understands that Miroslav Lajcek, the Slovak Political Director and former EU envoy for the Montenegro independence referendum, appears to be the most likely candidate at the moment. ¶3. (C) Serbia: Cohet said the MFA agrees with all the points we shared, and they plan to encourage other member states to push for Serbia to form a reform-oriented government and cooperate with the ICTY. Boisguillaume added that France is prepared to move forward on a Stabilization and Association Agreement if the new Serbian government makes the "right" moves. ¶4. (C) Kosovo: Boisguillaume said France's key message to the EU would be to stress unity as the final status process moves forward. The Chinese and African nations have noted that they intend to follow the EU position as long as the EU is united -- making unity particularly important, he noted. He added that France views the Slovaks as the key concern at the moment. ¶5. (C) Israel-Palestinian Issues: Cohet agreed that U.S./EU cooperation is essential and that Quartet principles must be respected. He added that Palestinian Foreign Minister Ziyad Abu Amro will meet FM Douste-Blazy in Paris April 2 to discuss how the EU can work with the NUG while ensuring that the PA government remains committed to the Quartet principles. ¶6. (C) Iran: Cohet said the MFA was delighted that the UNSC unanimously passed Resolution 1747. He added that the MFA would raise the issue of 1737 implemention at Gymnich. He cautioned that, while it might appear some member states were delaying, in fact they were awaiting necessary legislative approval for a new sanctions regime. ¶7. (C) Zimbabwe: Cohet said the Foreign Ministers do not plan to discuss Zimbabwe. However, he agreed in principle that the Human Rights Council must be a credible organization and the GoF would be "ready to play its role" in drawing attention to what is undoubtedly an "intolerable" humanitarian situation. Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm STAPLETON