SWEDEN ON NOVEMBER 19-20 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING

C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 001389 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN PK SW CH BM IS LE KV SY ZI IR SUBJECT: SWEDEN ON NOVEMBER 19-20 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING (GAERC) REF: STATE 156474 Classified By: Polcouns Casey Christensen for reason 1.4 (b) (C) On November 16, Poloff met with MFA Deputy European Correspondent Niclas Kvarnstrom regarding the November EU Foreign Ministers GAERC. --Palestine. Sweden agreed with our talking points. --Zimbabwe. Sweden agreed with our talking points. --Israel and Palestine. Sweden agreed with our talking points, and Kvarnstrom added that the EU intends to adopt a strategy to support institution building in Palestine. He also pointed out that in addition to our points, Sweden places great importance on humanitarian conditions in Gaza. --Lebanon. Sweden stands united with the EU in its support of a consensus candidate for the Lebanese presidency, but Kvarnstrom acknowledged that Sweden would recognize any President elected according to the Lebanese constitution. --Iraq. Sweden intends to encourage the EU to adopt a greater role in rebuilding Iraq and fostering political dialogue, but Kvarnstrom added that addressing Iraqi refugee burden-sharing within the EU is also a Swedish priority. --Iran. Sweden does not support EU autonomous sanctions. Kvarnstrom argued, to be effective, sanctions must be passed by the UN to prevent trade from simply being diverted to non-EU nations. Sweden intends to discuss this issue with China at the upcoming EU-China Summit. --Burma. Sweden supports continuing the EU process of researching possible "smart" sanctions that target the regime effectively, but Kvarnstrom said, at this GAERC, Sweden will support the adoption of a Revised Joint Action Plan that expands the sanctions on timber, metal and gems slightly, while not including financial sanctions. He said Sweden supports the EU discussing Burma with China and India at upcoming summits. --Kosovo. Sweden does not believe there is a "quick fix" solution to Kosovo. Kvarnstrom noted that the internal disagreement over the future status of Kosovo has the potential to be more damaging to the EU than the debate on the Iraq War. He stressed the importance of considering the negative effects immediate Kosovar independence could have on Bosnia and secessionist enclaves and noted the merits of a more cautious, measured approach. HILTON