GERMAN VIEWS ON JUNE 16-17 GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 000789 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/13/2018 TAGS: EUN PREL PGOV PHUM ZL ZK IR CU GM SUBJECT: GERMAN VIEWS ON JUNE 16-17 GAERC REF: A. STATE 62450 ¶B. BERLIN 773 Classified By: DEPUTY POLITICAL SECTION CHIEF STAN OTTO. REASONS: 1.4 ( B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Pol-mil/external chief met with MFA Deputy European Correspondent Thomas Schieb June 13 to discuss ref A points on key issues to be discussed at the June 16-17 General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC). Schieb noted that the agenda of this GAERC is even fuller than normal as it is the last one of the Slovenian presidency and right before a European Council meeting. END SUMMARY. Presidency reports -------------- ¶2. (U) Schieb said Slovenia will give a status report on implementation of the Lisbon Treaty (assuming approval in the Irish referendum). France, Sweden and Czech Republic -- as the next three presidency countries -- will outline their "trio program" of plans for the next 18 months. Western Balkans -------------- ¶3. (U) Schieb said that while there will be Council conclusions on the Western Balkans, Kosovo is not on the GAERC agenda. It is scheduled to be discussed by MFA political directors June 16 on the margins of the GAERC, and then again by foreign ministers at a June 19 dinner in conjunction with the European Council meeting. Middle East -------------- ¶4. (U) While there will be an exchange of views on the Middle East, no Council conclusions are expected. Schieb said that FM Steinmeier will brief on his recent trip to Lebanon and review preparations for the June 24 Palestinian security conference in Berlin. Somalia -------------- ¶5. (C) Schieb said the Council will discuss implementation of UNSCR 1816, concerning combating piracy in the waters off the coast of Somalia. The Council is expected to task the Commission to draft an options paper on what actions the EU can take to help implement the UNSCR. Iran -------------- ¶6. (C) High Rep Solana is expected to report on his June 13-15 trip to Iran and the Iranian reaction to the "refreshed" incentives package. Schieb conceded that no action was expected on implementing UNSCR 1803, designating additional entities or adopting new autonomous measures. While Schieb acknowledged that EU implementation of UNSCR 1803 was long overdue, he said the general concern within the EU was that taking steps now to implement the UNSCR could undermine the effort to get Iran on board with the incentives package. Cuba -------------- ¶7. (C) Schieb confirmed other reporting that the draft Council conclusions, which remain to be finalized, call for lifting the suspended Restrictive Measures and launching a EU political dialogue with Cuba based on certain benchmarks. Schieb said the "vast majority" of EU member states, including Germany, support this way ahead. He claimed that continuation of the dialogue would depend on satisfactory fulfillment of the benchmarks, but that this condition would probably be based on an "internal understanding" and not made public in the Council conclusions. China -------------- ¶8. (U) There will be an exchange of views on China, with FM Steinmeier expected to brief on the results of his June 13-15 trip there (see Ref B for a preview of the visit). TIMKEN JR