PORTUGAL FOCUSES ON TRANS-ATLANTIC AGENDA AT

C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 002388

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2018
TAGS: GG PREL PGOV PHUM
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL FOCUSES ON TRANS-ATLANTIC AGENDA AT
GYMNICH (EU FOREIGN MINISTERS' MEETING)

REF: SECSTATE 93272

Classified By: Dana M. Brown, Pol-Econ Officer,Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (SBU) Summary: Portugal is expected to remain in the
background on most of the Gymnich discussions this week
including Russia and Georgia, the Middle East, and EU
Security Strategy, but will take the lead on the
Trans-Atlantic presentation. Portuguese FM Amado will prompt
the EU ministers to coordinate a position on global
cooperation issues so that the bloc will able to present
their ideas to the incoming U.S. administration. Although
Amado had hoped to include Canada in the discussions, other
EU partners preferred to focus on the U.S.-EU relationship.
End summary.


2. (C) Russia and Georgia: Portugal believes that the
September 1 EU statement on Russia and Georgia struck a fair
middle ground and left both Russia and Georgia satisfied with
the EU,s stance, according to Deputy EU Correspondent Ana
Filomena Rocha. Although Rocha admitted that Russia had
"responded badly" in Georgia, she stated flatly that
sanctions would hurt the EU more than they hurt Russia.
Moreover, Portugal remains unconvinced that the ESDP proposal
would be useful at this point, according to Rocha. She said
the GOP would withhold judgment until the French Presidency
circulated an ESDP proposal, but that the initial idea, which
included positioning throughout Georgia, would not be helpful
and could provoke Russia. Regarding assistance to Georgia,
Rocha predicted that the EU would send two packages to
respond to humanitarian and reconstruction needs but she
stated that Portugal would not contribute bilaterally.


3. (C) Middle East Peace Process: The French Presidency had
planned to showcase the Middle East, but it has lost momentum
after the crisis in Georgia, Rocha stated. The discussion
will probably focus on the Turkish Prime Minister's readout
on the Israel/Syria track.


4. (C) EU Security Strategy: Rocha speculated that the
foreign ministers would briefly discuss Solana's five-year
analysis but predicted that the group would only propose a
new framework in November during the joint foreign
ministers-defense ministers meeting.


5. (C) Trans-Atlantic Relationship: Portuguese FM Amado
initially hoped to review the European Union's relationship
with both the United States and Canada at this session but
had faced pressure from the Czech Republic to focus only on
the United States, according to Rocha. Amado plans to raise
a laundry list of cooperation items including future ESDP
missions, non-proliferation, trade, human rights
(particularly Guantanamo),food, energy, and climate change.
Rocha reiterated that Amado's main objective is that the
ministers establish a coordinated, well-considered plan for
engagement with the incoming U.S. administration. Rocha
mentioned that the Afghanistan/Pakistan discussion would
cover strategies to bolster international coordination and
was considered part of the trans-Atlantic discussion.


6. (SBU) Violence Against Christians: The Italian government
has requested a discussion about the increasing violence
against Christians in India. Portugal is awaiting further
details on the Italian proposal at the meeting on Friday.
STEPHENSON