AUSTRIAN VIEWS IN ADVANCE OF THE DECEMBER GAERC

UNCLAS VIENNA 001786 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/ERA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD EUN CG TU AU SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN VIEWS IN ADVANCE OF THE DECEMBER GAERC REF: STATE 127023 Polchief discussed reftel points December 3 with Klaus Famira, MFA European Correspondent. Famira offered the following views on GAERC agenda items: -- Pakistan: GAERC participants will discuss a proposal to establish an annual EU-Pakistan Summit; the EU already holds an annual summit with India. Famira said the EU may decide at the GAERC to schedule one summit with Pakistan without committing to an annual meeting, as some members are doubtful about the utility of a regular summit with Pakistan. Regarding aid for Pakistan, EU representatives are likely to discuss "aid through trade" rather than direct assistance. Famira noted that the EU is currently conducting a study aimed at establishing an EU-Pakistan free trade agreement. -- Western Balkans: The EU has not determined yet whether the Western Balkans will be on the GAERC agenda. Now that the UNSC has paved the way for EULEX deployment, there is no urgent need to discuss Kosovo, and there may not be any issues to address regarding Serbia. -- Enlargement: Progress reports on Croatia, Macedonia, and Turkey will be discussed. Famira said there does not appear to an imminent solution to the Macedonian name issue, which remains an obstacle to EU accession. Turkey's membership process, by contrast, has shifted to a less political, technical phase, and is therefore addressed by the European Commission and rarely discussed at the GAERC. -- Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): EU representatives will discuss whether the mandate for the UN mission in the DRC should simply be extended for another year, or revised in some way. GIRARD-DICARLO