PORTUGAL SUPPORTS EU CONSENSUS ON ALL DECEMBER 8-9

UNCLAS LISBON 002756 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PO SUBJECT: PORTUGAL SUPPORTS EU CONSENSUS ON ALL DECEMBER 8-9 GAERC ISSUES REF: STATE 127023 ¶1. (SBU) Portugal's MFA Deputy EU Correspondent Florbela Cardy said the EU shares US concerns about Pakistan, the Western Balkans, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Middle East as outlined in reftel demarche. She further noted that Portugal fully agreed with the draft conclusions to be presented at the next EU Foreign Ministers' meeting (GAERC) on December 8 and 9. As she provided an overview of the EU's policy conclusions, she stressed the following points of interest to Portugal: ¶2. (U) Western Balkans: Portugal is pleased the EU and UN were able to resolve mission configuration difficulties because EULEX is crucial to Europe's stability and needs to start quickly. The GOP will send two members of the national uniformed police force to participate in EULEX and another three in a few months. ¶3. (U) Middle East: Portugal views the EU's conclusions as a balanced declaration that reinforces the Annapolis process and peace efforts from various nations. Cardy stressed that President-elect Obama's assurance that the process would continue in the next US administration had been welcome news. ¶4. (U) Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): The US and EU view the DRC crisis in exactly the same light and should continue to work together to stabilize the situation, Cardy said. She praised the UN mission MONUC as an important step in the right direction and reported that the EU had also sent an important humanitarian assistance package totaling 45.6 million euros to the DRC in cooperation with the UN. ¶5. (SBU) Pakistan: Portugal supports EU calls for Pakistan to consolidate its democracy and improve relations with its neighbors India and Afghanistan. Cardy noted that Pakistan has requested a troika meeting with the EU and would probably have its first meeting in the near future to discuss trade and political cooperation. ¶6. (SBU) Common Security and Foreign Policies: The French Presidency hopes to get approval for an updated common defense and international engagement strategy to build on the EU's 2003 plan. Cardy said the 2008 update would include new considerations and threats that have emerged since the 2003 plan including piracy, health pandemics, energy shortages, environmental challenges, and cyber security cooperation. Portugal notes that the draft text proposed by France maintains a good balance and distinction between the EU and NATO's roles on security issues, she added. BALLARD