SWEDEN ON DECEMBER 10-11 EU FOREIGN MINISTERS

C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 001439

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV SW EU
SUBJECT: SWEDEN ON DECEMBER 10-11 EU FOREIGN MINISTERS
MEETING (GAERC)

REF: A. STATE 164327


B. STATE 163945

Classified By: Polcouns Casey Christensen for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

SUMMARY
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1. (C) On December 7, Poloff met with MFA Deputy European
Corespondent Niclas Kvarnstrom regarding December 10 EU
Foreign Ministers GAERC meeting (reftel A). Kvarnstrom noted
the following:

--EU Enlargement and the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP).
Sweden is one of the greatest supporters of EU expansion and
constructive ENP engagement, and Sweden has been an advocate
of keeping the door open for Turkey.

--Kosovo. Foreign Minister Bildt is still developing his
views on Kosovo and would prefer for the UNSC to determine
Kosovo's final status early next year.

--Iran. Sweden continues to have the same concerns about
Iran's nuclear non-compliance and would like to see united
international pressure maintained via the UNSC.

--Sudan. Sweden agrees with our talking points and is
increasingly concerned with the unconstructive actions of
Sudanese President Bashir.

--Lebanon. Poloff delivered demarche (reftel B) and there was
no substantive response. END SUMMARY.

EU ENLARGEMENT AND ENP
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2. (C) Kvarnstrom said that Sweden is the biggest advocate of
EU enlargement and an important supporter of strengthening
the ENP. He noted that Sweden fought to incorporate the word
"accession" into the upcoming council conclusions on
enlargement and seeks to ensure that the EU upholds its
commitments to potential members. On the ENP, Sweden thinks
progress has been slow recently and supports implementing a
performance-based approach that rewards reform. Sweden would
also like to work on mobility issues, including visa
liberalization. Sweden has long supported keeping the door
open for Turkey.

KOSOVO
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3. (C) On Kosovo, Kvarnstrom prefaced his statement by noting
that Foreign Minister Bildt, "is still developing his
thoughts on this issue." He went on to explain that Sweden
sees Kosovo as a problem that the EU must solve. However,
Kvarnstrom said Sweden would prefer to see a final decision
made by the UNSC, preferably after Serbian elections early
next year. Sweden believes that this will give the EU the
proper time to address the regional implications and will
also give EU activity in Kosovo a solid, legal backing.
Kvarnstrom noted how divisive this issue is within the EU and
described Sweden as trying to act as a unifier.

IRAN
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4. (C) Kvarnstrom said that Sweden still has serious concerns
about Iran's nuclear non-compliance and lack of cooperation
with the IAEA and with Solana. He said Sweden wants to see
the international community, through the UNSC, maintain
pressure on Iran. (COMMENT: Sweden has not supported EU
autonomous sanctions in the past.)

SUDAN AND CHAD
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5. (C) Kvarnstrom said that Sweden is becoming increasingly
irritated with President Bashir who, in Sweden's opinion, has
been saying all of the wrong things recently. Kvarnstrom also
lamented the slower than expected deployment of EU forces to
Chad and the increasing violence in the area where they are
to be deployed.

WOOD