SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF MARCH 28-29 GYMNICH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LJUBLJANA 000141 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/NCE E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2018 TAGS: PREL EUN PGOV ZL PHUM IS SY LE RS CH SI SUBJECT: SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF MARCH 28-29 GYMNICH REF: STATE 30504 Classified By: Charge Maryruth Coleman, Reasons 1.4 (b,d) Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) On March 26, A/DCM delivered reftel's points on the March 28-29 Gymnich to European Correspondent Aljaz Arih. Arih noted that, in keeping with Slovenia's focus on the Balkans during its Presidency, FM Rupel had decided to devote the second day of the informal FMs' meeting to the Western Balkans. The first day the FMs would discuss the Middle East, in particular Syria, and EU-Russia relations. End Summary. Western Balkans -------------- ¶2. (C) Arih said that the aim of the discussion would not be to focus on the situation in Kosovo, but to discuss the EU's original approach to the whole region of the Western Balkans. The EU Commission's March communication on the Western Balkans would be the basis for the talks, which would be held in three sections. There would be an informal Ministers-only breakfast with Serbian FM Jeremic on March 29. An internal EU discussion on the Commission's paper, with participation by EU Special Representatives in the region and the RCC Secretary General, would follow. That session would prepare SIPDIS for the third section: a meeting with all the Western Balkan states. Arih commented that Kosovo and UNMIK would participate as one delegation; he added that FM Rupel had spoken several times with FM Jeremic, who had assured the Slovenian FM that Serbia would participate, although maybe not Jeremic personally. Arih explained that the separate breakfast with Jeremic was important to give Serbia a positive signal before the elections and to show support for the pro-European forces there. It was also important to give EU FMs the opportunity to speak freely with the Serbs - Arih predicted that they would raise Northern Kosovo. Arih said that FM Rupel had decided to follow the Gymnich tradition of inviting only the accession states (Turkey, Croatia, and Macedonia); there would be a separate lunch for the other heads of delegation. Arih inquired about rumors that an American would come to the Gymnich to discuss the Macedonia/NATO accession name issue. China: Situation in Tibet -------------- ¶3. (C) Arih explained that although Tibet was a not a separate point on the official agenda, there was a strong feeling among the FMs that they could not remain silent. They would discuss how to stabilize the situation in Tibet at lunch on March 29th, when they would also discuss intercultural dialogue. Arih noted that Slovenia, as the EU Presidency, had expressed messages similar to our points and pressed to visit Tibet, but that Beijing had denied their requests as well. He said that he had heard that Beijing might allow the foreign press access to Tibet in the future. Middle East -------------- ¶4. (C) Arih stated that FM Rupel would report on his trip last week to Egypt, Palestinian Territories and Israel, but that the main focus of the Gymnich's discussion would be Syria and its role in the region; in particular, the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, the internal political situation in Lebanon, Syrian relations/connections with some of the radical groups, and its ties to Iran. He remarked that the FMs would discuss Syria as it took over the chairmanship of the Arab League. He also noted that until now there was no common EU position on Syria, and Slovenia feels there should be an attempt to formulate one. EU-Russia Relations -------------- ¶5. (C) Arih agreed with our position that now was a good time to "take stock" on relations with Moscow, and the Gymnich intended to look at the EU's future relations with Russia in light of the newly-elected President. He added that Slovenia was trying to find agreement on a mandate to LJUBLJANA 00000141 002 OF 002 start negotiations on a new PCA; he added that Slovenia believed it was moving in a "positive way" and thought the EU could reach agreement in the near future. Arih predicted that the EU would discuss the need for energy independence as well as the question of Georgia, and also Abkhazia and South Ossetia in particular, in the context of Russia's role in Kosovo and the consequences for EU-Russia relations. He explained that the FMs would not raise the issue of missile defense because the EU did not have a common position on MD; it was still a bilateral issue for each member-state. He also doubted that the FMs would talk about the deteriorating human rights situation. He added that the discussion would serve as the basis for the EU-Russia Summit in June. COLEMAN