SLOVENIAN FM LOOKING FORWARD TO U.S.-EU SUMMIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LJUBLJANA 000235

NOFORN
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/NCE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/28/2018
TAGS: PREL EUN PGOV ECON EINV SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIAN FM LOOKING FORWARD TO U.S.-EU SUMMIT

Classified By: Amb. Yousif B. Ghafari, Reasons 1.4 (b,d)

Summary
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1. (C) At a May 28 lunch, Foreign Minister Rupel stressed to
the Ambassador that Slovenia hoped the message of the June 10
U.S.-EU Summit would be our strong transatlantic partnership.
He added that the bilateral meetings should not be as
prominent. FM Rupel also highlighted the helpful role of
Germany during Slovenia's EU presidency. In addition to
looking forward to the President's upcoming visit, FM Rupel
also gave his views on the May 26-27 GAERC. He reviewed the
EU FMs' discussions about the mandate for negotiations on a
new PCA with Russia, concern about Israeli settlements, and
the EULEX mission to Kosovo. End Summary.

Summit Preparations
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2. (C) At a three-on-three lunch on May 28 to welcome the
Ambassador, the FM stressed in Slovenia's view, the U.S.-EU
Summit is the central event of the President's visit while
the June 10 bilateral meetings with President Turk and Prime
Minister Jansa are welcome but subsidiary events. He noted
that Slovenia was not pursuing any special bilateral
interests/goals with the visit. Slovenia wanted the Summit
to focus on the message of a strong transatlantic
relationship.

Mandate for Negotiating New Post-PCA with Russia
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3. (C) Rupel expressed satisfaction that the EU had been able
to formulate a mandate to negotiate a new "post-PCA"
agreement with Russia. He noted that his trip last week to
Georgia had helped reassure Poland and Lithuania, who had
been insisting on language that could be interpreted as
conditioning negotiations on the successful resolution of
frozen conflicts. Rupel also explained that the EU FMs were
reluctant at the May 26-27 GAERC to chastise Russia severely
over the Georgia UAV incident, given the mandate
announcement. Bogdan Benko, the Director General of the
MFA's Directorate for European Affairs and Bilateral
Political Relations, commented that energy and energy
security would be central to the upcoming PCA negotiations.

Inside the EU - a Constructive Germany
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4. (C/NF) FM Rupel, who had just returned from the GAERC,
speculated that French FM Kouchner would have a more
difficult time during France's EU Presidency than Kouchner
expected. Rupel noted that Germany had been the most helpful
to Slovenia during its Presidency, and the "most constructive
in Europe." He cited a recent example when the EU was
discussing the EULEX mission to Kosovo. Rupel explained that
the EU has been using the "creeping method" of getting EULEX
active in Kosovo, rather than acceding to Russian demands for
a new resolution to legitimize the EULEX role, which Russia
would then block. Kouchner had made loud noises that the
Russian stance was unacceptable, and the EU should just
forcefully move in. Rupel noted that this had embarrassed
Solana because the European Council had not decided on a
forceful approach to Kosovo, which would have to involve NATO
and the U.S. Rupel said he had argued to continue the
"creeping" approach. German FM Steinmeyer had come in to
support Rupel and was the "voice of reason."

Middle East Peace Process
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5. (C) Rupel said that during their discussion of the Middle
East at the GAERC lunch, the EU Foreign Ministers had
expressed a lot of concern about Israeli settlements. He
added that roadblocks were not as important as the
settlements issue and worried about "the intransigence of the
Israelis on settlements." He noted that Olmert's defense
that Israel was not building but just extending settlements
"did not fly" with the EU member states. Rupel emphasized
that Slovenia and the EU look forward to hearing from the
President on the Middle East at the Summit.

The Western Balkans
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6. (C) FM Rupel predicted there would be more tension and
confrontation in and with Serbia, but that in the end, Serbia
would take the European path. The EU, through the Luxembourg
FM, is reaching out to the Serbian Socialist party leader
Dacic to make an arrangement for a pro-European coalition.
Rupel pointed out that the SAA, the Italian Fiat investment
deal, and the easing of visas had all enabled Serbs to see
improvements associated with Europe. Rupel noted that
although he might have some reservations about the serious
challenges ahead, he thought things were on a good track.
The Ambassador encouraged him to maintain Slovenia's strong
leadership role in the region.


7. (C/NF) On Macedonia receiving a NATO invitation, Rupel
urged that the U.S. press the Greeks. He explained that the
EU felt they had to side with Greece because "Greece is part
of the family," even though the Greeks "are making everybody
suffer." He suggested that after the June 1 elections in
Macedonia, a new approach be made. He opined that Macedonia
should accept "New Macedonia."

Ambassador Presses for Realignment of Slovenian Troops to
Afghanistan
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8. (C) The Ambassador urged Slovenia to discuss with SHAPE
the realignment of Slovenian troops in ISAF to lead OMLTs.
The FM said he did not have any ideological problems with the
suggestion, but, given domestic political concerns and the
fall elections, suggested the Ambassador raise this issue
with PM Jansa. The Ambassador will do so at his May 29
meeting with the PM.

Slovenia Should Open Up to Investment
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9. (C) The Ambassador said that he hoped to enhance
U.S.-Slovenian relations, including economic ties. FM Rupel
agreed that Slovenia should open up more and expressed
disappointment that some projects (Harrah's) did not work
out. He urged the Ambassador to use "straight talk" with the
Slovenians, who were still struggling to overcome 45 years of
Socialist mentality.
GHAFARI