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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- --- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- LJUBLJANA 00000235 002 OF 002 ¶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 -------------- -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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