SWEDEN ON EU-RUSSIA SUMMIT

UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000757 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV SW SUBJECT: SWEDEN ON EU-RUSSIA SUMMIT REF: STATE 119280 ¶1. On November 10, Sweden and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement on EU-Russia relations, signed by FM Bildt and FM Miliband The statement reaffirmed support for Georgia's territorial integrity and urged Russia to fully implement the August 12 and September 8 EU-brokered peace agreements. It also noted that although "a strategic partnership with Russia, based on common values, is not in place as of today, we can support resuming negotiations on the new EU-Russia Framework agreement because we believe that the issues that will be covered are in the EU's interest as well as Russia's." The statement concluded with the caution that the EU will not return to "business as usual" with Russia, nor will the EU overlook the conflict in Georgia. ¶2. On November 12, POLOFF delivered reftel demarche to Anna Norell, MFA's EU correspondent, who said that Sweden will refuse to sign any EU document related to Russia unless the above points of the statement are included. Sweden chose to issue the joint statement with the UK immediately before the GAERC in order to send a strong message to the EU, Norell said; however on the whole, EU members did not react negatively, as Sweden had expected. She said at the November 10-11 GAERC, EU FMs expressed concern over President Medvedev's proposal for a new pan-European security treaty. WOOD