Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ATHENS214
2008-02-15 15:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
GREEK POSITION ON FEBRUARY 18-19 GAERC
how-toVZCZCXRO9654 PP RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHTH #0214 0461523 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 151523Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1213 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHPS/USOFFICE PRISTINA PRIORITY 0350 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 0960
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000214
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2018
TAGS: EUN PHUN PREL PGOV KVIR IS IR CD BM GR
SUBJECT: GREEK POSITION ON FEBRUARY 18-19 GAERC
REF: STATE 15648
Classified By: Deputy PolCouns Paul M. Carter for reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d)
(C) POLOFF delivered reftel points on the February 18-19 EU
Foreign Ministers' meeting (GAERC) to MFA A11 EU Common
Foreign Policy Directorate Counselor Antonia Katzourou. As
Kosovo would dominate the GAERC, she doubted the remaining
issues would be discussed at any length. The responses below
are keyed to major agenda items in reftel.
-- Western Europe: Katzourou remarked that Greece's policy on
Kosovo remained unchanged. (Greece had taken no decision on
recognizing an independent Kosovo. It would closely monitor
the "events on the ground" and formulate its policy
accordingly.) Katzourou commented "Greece will be in the
listening mode" at the GAERC.
-- Israeli-Palestinian Peace: Katzourou expressed continued
Greek support for the Middle East peace process and
principles discussed at Annapolis. She added the Greek
Government would like to see expeditious results.
-- Iran: Katzourou noted that Iran was not on the GAERC
agenda. The GOG would wait for the third UNSCR before
commenting on new EU sanctions.
-- Lebanon: Katzourou emphasized the importance of breaking
the political deadlock in Lebanon. Every actor (i.e., Syria)
has a role to play in finding a solution, but must avoid
taking unproductive steps. Katzourou reiterated GOG support
for Sinora,s government.
-- Chad: Katzourou reported the EUFOR peacekeeping mission to
Chad had redeployed and Greece would soon send its
contribution, a C-130. The situation in Kenya might also be
discussed at the GAERC.
-- Economic Partnership Agreements: Katzourou did not expect
this issue to be discussed.
-- Burma: Katzourou told us the EU had already agreed upon
sanctions against Burma, which would be reflected in the
conclusion adopted on Monday. Greece would assume the
prescribed EU sanctions.
SPECKHARD