IRISH VIEWS OF THE SEPTEMBER 5-6 FOREIGN MINISTERS

C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 000500 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM EI SUBJECT: IRISH VIEWS OF THE SEPTEMBER 5-6 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING (GYMNICH) REF: A. STATE 93272 ¶B. STATE 93264 Classified By: Pol/Econ Section Chief Ted Pierce; Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). ¶1. (U) POLOFF delivered reftel demarches on September 4 to Pat Kelly, European Correspondent, Department of Foreign Affairs. -------------- Georgia -------------- ¶2. (C) Ireland supports a firm response to the situation in Georgia within an EU context, Kelly said. He predicted that the GYMNICH discussion -- following on the heels of the European Council meeting on September 1 and occurring before President Sarkozy's visit to Moscow early next week -- would largely entail stocktaking and an exchange of ideas on how to implement the six-point plan. -------------- Middle East Peace Process -------------- ¶3. (C) Kelly said that the Middle East discussion would likely focus on information-sharing and the role the EU could play if an agreement were to be implemented. The Irish view, he added, was that the likelihood of reaching an agreement by the end of the year was diminishing. -------------- EU Security Strategy -------------- ¶4. (C) Noting that the review of the EU security strategy was an initiative of the French Presidency, Kelly said that the Irish feel the existing strategy has served the EU -- and Ireland -- well. While saying that there was a need to adapt the strategy to new circumstances and threats, he indicated that the Irish wouldn't be looking for significant changes. -------------- Afghanistan/Pakistan -------------- ¶5. (C) The Irish support EU engagement in Afghanistan and Pakistan, recognizing the serious terrorist threat that emanates from the region, Kelly said. (Note: The Irish have contributed seven troops to the Afghanistan theater of operations through the NATO Partnership for Peace program. End note.) He indicated that the GYMNICH discussion of Afghanistan/Pakistan would be undertaken in the context of the transatlantic relations review. FAUCHER