EU POSITIVE, BUT NO COMMITMENT ON IAEA NUCLEAR

UNCLAS USEU BRUSSELS 000713 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KNNP EUN IAEA SUBJECT: EU POSITIVE, BUT NO COMMITMENT ON IAEA NUCLEAR FUEL BANK REF: STATE 48111 This message is Sensitive But Unclassified. Not for internet distribution. ¶1. (SBU) Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, European Commission External Relations Security Policy Unit Head, responded to reftel points by explaining that IAEA Director General ElBaradei raised the issue of an EU contribution to the IAEA fuel bank project with Commission President Barroso and Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs during his May 7 meetings in Brussels. Both Commission officials responded positively, according to Wigemark, but made no concrete commitments. Wigemark added that his Directorate General, External Relations, is prepared to support the effort, and could foresee earmarking part of the Commission's stability instrument funding for the project. He noted, however, that the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) sees a role for itself in providing fuel assurances, and is currently examining possible projects of its own. Ultimately, the decision to contribute rests within the Directorate General for Transportation and Energy. Wigemark concluded by saying that while the EC will not be in a position to make a commitment to the IAEA in time for the June U.S.-EU summit, including the goal in the summit declaration or discussions could be useful in helping RELEX internally make the case to provide funding through the stability instrument. MURRAY .