SWEDISH MFA ON EU DISCUSSION OF CONGO, SOUTH ASIA,

C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 000841 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV EU AF PK CG CF SW SUBJECT: SWEDISH MFA ON EU DISCUSSION OF CONGO, SOUTH ASIA, LISBON TREATY AND EU CLIMATE DEAL REF: PARIS 2214 Classified By: CDA Robert Silverman for reasons 1.4 (B) & (D). ¶1. (C) On December 17, Poloffs met with Axel Wernhoff, Deputy Head of the Division for European Affairs at the MFA. Wernhoff said: -- The EU will increasingly focus on Afghanistan in 2009 and understands that a "regional approach" is needed to deal with the Afghan-Pakistani border; -- FM Bildt is open to Swedish forces participating in a Congo mission as long as the mission could be expected to "accomplish something"; -- On EU Presidency issues, Wernhoff expressed concern over the perceived "lack of focus" of the Czechs, and Swedish officials will prepare for "all Lisbon contingencies" during Sweden's 2009 Presidency. -- On climate change, Stockholm will work closely with Prague to urge a greater focus on environment, not just energy. Afghanistan/Pakistan -------------- ¶2. (C) Wernhoff told us to expect the EU to focus more on Afghan issues in early 2009. This focus will include Pakistan, as the EU is "increasingly aware" that a "regional approach" is needed to address the Afghanistan conflict and instability in the border regions. The Czech Republic and Sweden are currently discussing under which presidency the EU-Pakistan summit will occur; Wernhoff acknowledged debate at the December GAERC over whether to publicly announce the summit but gave no further details (reftel). Swedish FM Bildt visited Pakistan December 15-16 (septel),signaling increasing Swedish concern over South Asia. Congo -------------- ¶3. (C) On the Congo, Wernhoff said FM Bildt is open to an expanded EU peacekeeping mission as long as "it is clear that the forces could reasonably hope to accomplish something." He added that Bildt is currently trying to learn more about the conflict there. Sweden understands that the EU as a whole is reticent to be involved. Climate Package Agreement -------------- ¶4. (C) Wernhoff said the agreement on the EU Climate Agreement was "welcome" and the task now would be to distribute agreed-upon targets among member states. Many technical questions remain to be sorted out before the EU Council meeting next March. Wernhoff said the Swedes "are concerned" about the Czechs' seeming lack of focus on climate change issues and their perceived emphasis on only energy, not environment. In preparation for its presidency and leading the EU through the COP 15 talks in Copenhagen in December, Sweden will coordinate closely with the Czechs. Swedish PM Reinfeldt and Danish PM Rasmussen plan to meet regularly on this issue and to coordinate efforts for the EU bilaterals with Brazil, China and South Africa. Lisbon Treaty -------------- ¶5. (C) Because the EU Council on December 11 agreed on the "road map" for the Treaty of Lisbon to enter into force during the Swedish Presidency, and because they are concerned the Czechs will not prepare for the Lisbon Treaty, the Swedes plan to prepare contingency plans for "all aspects" of Lisbon. Wernhoff stated he understands the Irish will hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty in mid-October (at the latest November 1),but said he personally thinks it will fail again as it comes too soon after the first rejection. However, Wernhoff said even with a second Irish veto, the EU will find some way to proceed with the aspects of the Lisbon Treaty not requiring passage of the treaty, e.g. certain institutional changes. Either way, Lisbon-related issues will dominate Sweden's EU Presidency, he said. SILVERMAN