Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BERLIN789
2008-06-16 07:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:  

GERMAN VIEWS ON JUNE 16-17 GAERC

Tags:  EUN PREL PGOV PHUM ZL ZK IR CU GM 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO9998
OO RUEHAG RUEHROV
DE RUEHRL #0789 1680717
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 160717Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1457
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
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).

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