SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF MAY 26-27 JUMBO GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LJUBLJANA 000223 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/NCE E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2018 TAGS: PREL EUN PGOV ZL PK AF ZI IR GG IS SY LE SI SUBJECT: SLOVENIA IN ADVANCE OF MAY 26-27 JUMBO GAERC REF: LJUBLJANA 218 Classified By: Charge Maryruth Coleman, Reasons 1.4 (b,d) Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) On May 21, A/DCM delivered the May 26-27 GAERC points to European Correspondent Aljaz Arih. Arih said that the "jumbo" GAERC, which would include Development and Defense Ministers, would issue conclusions on Lebanon, the Middle East Peace Process, Iraq, Afghanistan, Georgia, the Western Balkans, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Burma, and children and armed conflict -- "practically every agenda item." He noted that Iran is currently not on the agenda. End Summary. Western Balkans -------------- ¶2. (C) Arih stated that the GAERC would focus on the post-election process in Serbia and whether the EU could do anything to support the pro-European forces in forming a new government. He doubted that the FMs would discuss Kosovo, although the EU was still struggling on how to move forward with the EULEX mission given the UN's lack of cooperation. He explained that the EU would not sign the SAA with Bosnia-Herzegovina at the May GAERC meeting due to technical reasons (translations into all the EU's official languages), but he expected it to happen at the June GAERC. Iraq -------------- ¶3. (C) Arih noted that this would be the first formal discussion of Iraq during Slovenia's Presidency; it would take stock of the EU's involvement in stabilization efforts. The FMs' talks would inform the EU's position for the May 29 Stockholm conference. He expected the Council's conclusions to highlight the EU's readiness to provide even more assistance for stabilizing the country and for the reform process. Iran -------------- ¶4. (C) Arih explained that the Presidency did not envisage Iran being on the agenda, although if there were more progress on Solana's visit to Iran, which Iran has accepted but has not yet set a date for, Solana might want to say a few words. He added that the EU had concluded all the formal procedures for adopting sanctions, but there was a strong feeling that sanctions would not be conducive to the process before Solana travels to Iran. On implementing UNSCR 1803, Arih reiterated what we have heard elsewhere - that the member states advocating stronger sanctions do not want to �0A;proceed at this time. Israeli-Palestinian Peace -------------- ¶5. (C) Arih said there would be the "traditional exchange of views on the situation on the ground." The conclusions would include taking stock of the situation and concern about Gaza. Lebanon -------------- ¶6. (C) Arih stated that the FMs would discuss Lebanon and issue Council conclusions. He mentioned the encouraging signals from Qatar that the parties would reach an agreement on parliamentary elections, which the FMs would warmly welcome. They would also see if the EU needed to assume a more active role in helping the parties in Lebanon. Arih noted that it was difficult for Slovenia to take symbolic action against Syria as Slovenia did not fly to Damascus, nor did Slovenia have ambassadorial representation there; however, he undertook to pass our message along (reftel). Afghanistan -------------- ¶7. (C) According to Arih, the foreign ministers will use the draft policy paper as the basis for their discussion. He speculated that FM Rupel would attend the June 12 Afghanistan LJUBLJANA 00000223 002 OF 002 support conference in Paris. He added that, for Slovenia, the conference's political message was as important as the pledging. Somalia -------------- ¶8. (C) Arih noted that the GAERC discussion would parallel our points. The FMs would see what the EU could do, including about financial support for AMISOM, piracy off the coast, and the draft UN resolution, which Slovenia hoped the Council could adopt as soon as possible. He mentioned that the FMS might raise the situation between Ethiopia and Eritrea in a regional context. Georgia -------------- ¶9. (C) Arih said that the Presidency would issue a statement after receiving ODIHR's assessment of today's parliamentary elections. The Ministers would discuss the outcome of the elections and follow up with a further statement in Council conclusions. He commented that the EU was divided, with some member states pushing for more EU support for Tbilisi, while others were reluctant to jeopardize relations with Russia. Arih mentioned that the issue of Abkhazia residents using Russian passports being able to travel more easily to the EU than Georgian citizens was difficult. He added that there had been lots of discussion about how to solve this problem, but no solution thus far. He noted that the EU did not have a common position as to whether it should use the European Instant Assessment Mechanism. The EU had offered support to the UN investigation and was waiting for those results. He expressed skepticism that the EU would use the mechanism now, although he thought it might in the future. Zimbabwe -------------- ¶10. (C) Arih stated that the GAERC would discuss how to ensure as free and democratic elections as possible in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe had already announced it would not accept EU monitoring; thus, the EU would provide full support to an AU monitoring mission. He noted the EU's concern about the violence on the ground and threats against the opposition. Other Issues -------------- ¶11. (C) Arih mentioned a number of other issues the GAERC would cover: -- The EU was close to reaching agreement on negotiating a "post-PCA agreement" with Russia, and could possibly adopt a mandate for the start of negotiations at the GAERC. -- Poland would present its ideas on an East European dimension to the European Neighborhood Policy, similar to France's Mediterranean Union. Poland is trying to promote closer ties with the Caucasus and Belarus. -- At a joint session with the Development and Defense Ministers, the GAERC would discuss Afghanistan as well as children and armed conflict. -- The Presidency would provide the General Affairs Council information on the substance to be presented at the June 19-20 European Council; the June GAERC would then have a substantive discussion on those items. COLEMAN