IRISH VIEWS ON THE FEBRUARY 18-19 EU FOREIGN

C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 000085 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2018 TAGS: EUN PGOV PREL PHUM EI SUBJECT: IRISH VIEWS ON THE FEBRUARY 18-19 EU FOREIGN MINISTERS' MEETING (GAERC) REF: A. DUBLIN 81 ¶B. DUBLIN 48 Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Ted Pierce; Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). ¶1. (C) Summary: POLOFF delivered February GAERC demarche talking points on February 14 to Claire Buckley, Deputy European Correspondent, Department of Foreign Affairs. Ireland will recognize Kosovo fairly quickly and will strive for EU solidarity in responding to Kosovo's declaration of independence. Ireland sees no progress in the Middle East or Iran. Irish troops are scheduled to arrive in Chad about February 20. Ireland agrees with the U.S. that stronger sanctions are needed in Burma. The Irish Government would like to see progress in the Doha Round. End summary. ¶2. (C) Western Balkans: Buckley reiterated that Ireland will recognize Kosovo's independence, but will not be first in line (Ref A). She noted that Ireland will be striving for EU solidarity in responding to Kosovo's declaration of independence. ¶3. (SBU) Middle East Peace Process: Nothing much has improved, Buckley said. She noted Ireland's concerns about the breaching of the Gaza/Egypt border and the rocket attacks into Israel from Gaza. She anticipated that the GAERC would examine developments, but would not have much to add to ongoing EU initiatives. ¶4. (SBU) Iran: Again, no positive developments, Buckley noted. Iran won't be on the agenda, she said. ¶5. (SBU) Chad/EU ESDP Mission: Buckley noted that the ESDP mission had resumed following the recent abortive coup attempt. She anticipated that the main Irish contingent would arrive in Chad about February 20. ¶6. (C) Burma: Ireland wholeheartedly agrees with the U.S. that stronger sanctions are needed in Burma, according to Buckley. The Irish are particularly annoyed that the Burmese are stonewalling UN Special Advisor Gambari and that there has been no opposition input into the new constitution, she said. Buckley stated that Ireland will continue to insist that Burma remain on the GAERC agenda. ¶7. (SBU) WTO Doha Round: Buckley noted that Ireland is particularly keen -- and pushing within EU chambers -- to see progress in the Doha Round. FAUCHER