APPROACHING THE EU IN ADVANCE OF THE JANUARY 28-

C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 000067 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2018 TAGS: EUN PHUM PREL PGOV KV IR IZ IS SU SUBJECT: APPROACHING THE EU IN ADVANCE OF THE JANUARY 28- 29 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING (GAERC) REF: SECSTATE 7679 Classified By: Polcouns Casey Christensen for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (U) On January 25, 2008, Poloff met with Anna Norell, MFA Deputy EU Correspondent, regarding the upcoming January 28-29 EU Foreign Ministers GAERC meeting. Comments on Kosovo, Iran, and the Isreali-Palestinian peace process were highlighted: KOSOVO -------------- ¶2. (C) Sweden felt bound by UNSCR 1244, and was searching for unity within the EU. Norell said that Sweden was not blocking an EU decision to recognize Kosovo, but would much prefer if the declaration of independence and EU recognition could be deferred until after the March Spanish elections. The recognition could then be taken up in the March 10 GAERC. The delay in timing was advocated because of contingencies in Northern Kosovo and the logistics of deploying 1800 ESDP personnel. The legal implications also needed to be worked out. Norell said Sweden believed these matters could be taken care of by March. IRAN -------------- ¶3. (C) Sweden does not support autonomous EU economic sanctions against Iran. Sweden is looking into autonomous measures directed at preventing inappropriate nuclear-related activities. ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN ISSUES -------------- ¶4. (C) Sweden would like to see the EU take an increased and more active role, including in monitoring the implementation of the peace plan. Regarding the Temporary International Mechanism, the EU will begin to phase this out starting in February, although the new plan, PEGAS, does not provide for assistance to go directly to the Palestinian Authority. WOOD