SPAIN'S VIEWS ON NOVEMBER GYMNICH AND JUMBO GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MADRID 001142 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/ERA E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL SP EUN ETRD RS IS AF PK SY LE SO, IR SUBJECT: SPAIN'S VIEWS ON NOVEMBER GYMNICH AND JUMBO GAERC REF: A. STATE 115017 ¶B. MADRID 1132 ¶C. MADRID 1131 MADRID 00001142 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: DCM Arnold Chacon for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche to Spanish MFA Deputy European Correspondent Maria Luisa Benitez Donoso on October ¶29. Regarding the agenda, Benitez said that given the Jumbo GAERC includes defense and development issues in addition to external relations, and that the Congo will likely be added due to the deteriorating situation, Bosnia and Somalia may be pushed back until December. Transatlantic Relations will likely dominate the GYMNICH agenda, according to Benitez. RUSSIA/GEORGIA ¶2. (C) Benitez said that Spain is pleased with the outcome of the Donor's conference, noting Spain's one million euro contribution in addition to the 500,000 euros donated at the beginning of the conflict. The GOS is also pleased, she said, with EU Special Envoy Morel's ability to bring the parties together earlier this month. She agreed that an international presence in the separatist regions is critical and said that Russia asked the EU mission to take control of security in those regions. Solana has said, according to Benitez, that the EU must remind Russia that the EU mission is an unarmed civil police mission and that security will remain within the purview of the Georgian police. ¶3. (C) Benitez said that the GOS considers that it is not "business as usual with Russia," but that channels of communication must remain open. Negotiations with Russia on a new EU-Russia partnership agreement (PCA) "will move forward and we're planning for Nice," said Benitez. She said that the items for discussion and depth of any agreement reached may change, but that "closing the door" on Russia is not the answer. Benitez said that FM Moratinos has made clear that if Russia wants to discuss President Medvedev's proposal for a new European Security Treaty, "we are open to talking about it." Benitez quickly pointed out, however, that it is far too early for any agreement, as the proposal is at an early stage. IRAN ¶4. (C) Benitez said that Iran is not a topic for discussion at either the GYMNICH or GAERC, as High Representative Solana is still waiting for a clear response from the Iranians on the P5 1 offer. She said that the GOS supports the dual-track strategy and that autonomous national measures and/or enlargement of sanctions may be considered should Tehran provide no response or an inadequate response. Benitez also said, however, that the GOS is reviewing the effects of current sanctions and is not pleased as little impact is seen since Iran easily circumvents designations. SYRIAN ENGAGEMENT ¶5. (C) Spain appears to side with the French on Syrian engagement. According to Benitez, FM Moratinos believes that isolation of Syria would be ineffective (reftel B). "Syria has an important role in the Middle East Peace Process and will see itself closer to the EU than Iran," Benitez said. She opined that the GOS would err on the side of engagement, pointing to recent efforts made, such as the announcement of diplomatic relations with Lebanon. "Give them time," Benitez stated. ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE ¶6. (C) Benitez said that the MEPP will not be on the agenda, and hasn't been for several meetings, as the EU does not want there to be any distraction to the negotiation process. In the EU's effort to support the negotiations, no public statements will be made, she said (reftel B). Benitez stressed that Spain's views coincided with the U.S. desire to support negotiation to the extent possible without jeopardizing the integrity of the process and that the Quartet principals would be key to any agreement reached. Spain continues to consider what role the GOS will have once an agreement is reached, she added. EU SOMALIA ANTI-PIRACY EFFORTS ¶7. (C) Benitez said that anti-piracy efforts will not likely be on the GAERC agenda given the number of topics to be covered, but opined that our joint efforts will provide a good model for future EU/NATO missions. MADRID 00001142 002.2 OF 002 AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN ¶8. (C) Benitez said that the GOS is active within the tribal areas of both Afghanistan and Pakistan, providing development aid, and agreed that stabilization of the border areas is important (reftel C). The GOS does not yet have a position on support for the United States' proposed appointment of an official to oversee a World Bank-administered trust fund. TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONS ¶9. (C) Benitez said that although Transatlantic Relations was a scheduled topic at the September GYMNICH, it was not discussed as the Georgia/Russia conflict was underway. She emphasized that due to the nature of the GYMNICH -- i.e., an informal discussion amongst foreign ministers aimed at promoting creative solutions in the development of EU policy -- no agenda could be confirmed with certainty, but indicated that this was a likely topic. Specifically, she said there would likely be a brainstorming session regarding EU/NATO cooperation and common EU/US interests, such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and the MEPP. Benitez was unable to comment on the recently-received French Presidency's "food for thought" paper. AGUIRRE