TFGG01: SWEDEN'S DEPUTY FM SAYS FRENCH OPPOSE

C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 000590 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV EU GG SW SUBJECT: TFGG01: SWEDEN'S DEPUTY FM SAYS FRENCH OPPOSE SAAKASHVILI INVITE TO EUROPEAN COUNCIL Classified By: DCM ROBERT SILVERMAN FOR REASONS 1.4 (B & D) (C) During a brief chat in the MFA, Deputy FM Frank Belfrage told DCM that the European Council will convene on the afternoon of September 1 to decide ways to "articulate EU policy toward Russia." The meeting is necessary, Belfrage stated, because the six point plan is not being implemented. He added that it is not yet clear whether Georgian President Saakashvili will be at the meeting; though Sweden and several EU members favor his participation, Paris is "opposed." WOOD