EU FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET (GAERC) TO DISCUSS AFGHANISTAN,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BRUSSELS 001266

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TAGS: PGOV PREL EINT ECPS PTER EUN
SUBJECT: EU FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET (GAERC) TO DISCUSS AFGHANISTAN,
IRAN, SOUTHERN CAUCASUS, AND MORE

REF: Stockholm 577

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1. (SBU) SUMMARY: EU Foreign Ministers (FMs) met in Brussels on
September 14-15 as the General Affairs and External Relations
Council (GAERC) to review EU foreign policy priority areas.
Discussions in the External Affairs Council centered on Iran,
Afghanistan, and the Southern Caucasus, with the Council adopting
conclusions on Sudan and Honduras, and renewing the mission
statement for the EU Security Mission to the Democratic Republic of
Congo (EUSEC RD Congo). Discussions in the General Affairs Council
reviewed progress reports on energy infrastructure development, as
well as crisis mechanisms relating to the security of energy
supplies. The Council also discussed preparations for the upcoming
European Council meeting on October 29-30, the agenda for which will
include institutional issues (implementation of the Lisbon Treaty,
if appropriate),climate change, the economic crisis, a Baltic Sea
strategy, illegal immigration and developments in external
relations. The Council also approved European Commission (EC)
reports on progress made in Bulgaria and Romania under the
Cooperation and Verification Mechanism, while noting that there is
far more work to be done by both.


2. (SBU) The press conference following the GAERC noted the upcoming
"5+1" talks with Iran on October 1, and called for internationalund at
http://g more sanQ he saw as the Q
implement further EU sanction unilateralt from Iran
wQs "not a very concrete one;" however, he noted 4hat Iran is "at
least prepared to talk." Bildt said that he did not expect any
solution ould be negotiated quickly. In addition to then should address other
issues
as well, alluding to the political and human rights situation.


5. (SBU) AFGHANISTAN ELECTION: Following their informal "Gymnich"
meeting in Sweden September 4-5 (Reftel),the foreign ministers
continued their discussions and reaffirmed their support for "the
Gymnich roadmap." Ministers voiced support for the U.N. Mission and
for Kai Eide's efforts, and noted that the ongoing election
verification process will be lengthy and must be handled "in a
credible way." At the press conference, Olli Rehn, Commissioner for
European Enlargement, said that stabilizing the economic and
political situation in Afghanistan represents an enormous challenge,
and that the EU urged the international community to be patient in
order to allow the two election commissions (i.e., the Independent
Electoral Commission (IEC),and the Electoral Complaints Commission
(ECC)) to complete their work without external pressure. Rehn also
paid tribute to Member of the European Parliament Philippe Morillon,
who was acting as the head of the EU's Electoral Observation
Mission.


6. (SBU) In response to press queries, Bildt acknowledged that the
Afghan electoral process was taking a "long time," and that everyone
knew there would be complexities. He noted that more polling
stations were open and running than originally expected, and that
numerous complaints of fraud and irregularities have been filed.
Bildt expressed EU support for both commissions' efforts,
emphasizing that the future of Afghanistan will be determined "by
the success or failure of a legitimate political process."

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7. (SBU) SOUTHERN CAUCASUS: Ministers recognized that the EU has
the most important role to help contribute to the stability of the
region, and unanimously endorsed a Presidency proposal that the
Commission prepare mandates for negotiations on Association
Agreements with Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. At the press
conference, in response to a question about the attitude of Russia
toward the EU's rapprochement with the region, Bildt replied that
these are sovereign countries which have the right to choose their
own future, without restrictions imposed "by anyone else." Asked
about the timing for the negotiating mandates, Enlargement
Commissioner Rehn said the Commission would prepare the mandates in
November. (Note: Council Secretariat staff subsequently clarified
that working out the mandates will take time and that they did not
expect them to be launched until 2010. End Note) FM Bildt also said
that ministers welcomed the positive developments in relations
between Turkey and Armenia.


8. (SBU) CROATIA-SLOVENIAN DISPUTE: In response to press questions
about recent developments between Croatia and Slovenia, and about
the timing of resumed accession negotiations with Croatia, Bildt
said the date would be determined soon. Both Bildt and Rehn
welcomed the deal agreed between the two PMs, and were optimistic
that the new confidence would be reflected in the "domestic
decisions" to be taken by the two countries (a reference to the role
of national parliaments in Croatia and Slovenia).


9. (U) OLLI REHN's INTEREST IN HIGH REP SOLANA's JOB: In response
to a press question, Rehn said it was "premature" to discuss this
matter, and that it was essential to ensure "the Lisbon ratification
process is accomplished first." He then added that he enjoyed
working in the Commission and hoped to continue in an EU job in the
future.

GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL
--------------

10. (U) Chaired by Cecilia Malmstrom, Swedish Minister for EU
Affairs, the General Affairs Council reviewed the draft agenda and
preparations for the European Council meeting scheduled for October
29-30, and addressed the work achieved on energy infrastructures and
interconnections, as well as on crisis mechanisms relating to the
security of energy supplies. The agenda of issues to be addressed
in October by the European Council includes institutional issues (a
currently empty heading that will cover many of the key political
issues that would be unblocked by a positive Irish referendum on the
Lisbon Treaty),climate change, the economic situation, a Baltic Sea
Strategy, illegal immigration, and external relations, depending on
recent developments.


11. (U) G-20 SUMMIT PREPARATIONS: The Council was briefed by the
Swedish Presidency on arrangements for an informal meeting of EU
heads of state on September 17 in Brussels, in preparation for the
G-20 Summit meeting September 24-25 in Pittsburgh. The European
Council's conclusions on the G-20 Summit can be found at European
Council Conclusions on G-20 Summit
(http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Da ta/
docs/pressdata/en/ec/110166.pdf).


12. (U) BULGARIA AND ROMANIA: The Council adopted conclusions which
welcomed the EC's reports of progress made in both Bulgaria and
Romania under the EC's Cooperation and Verification mechanism,
noting the "good level" of cooperation by both member state
governments. The Council conclusion called on both nations to
intensify their efforts in the fight against corruption, and to
demonstrate "tangible and lasting results" (especially in
establishing impartial, independent judiciary systems with effective
resources) in order to enable EU policies to function properly.


13. (U) UNION FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN - WOMEN IN SOCIETY: The Council
approved EU guidelines for a second Union for the Mediterranean
ministerial meeting on the theme of "Strengthening the Role of Women
in Society," which will take place in Morocco on November 11-12.

14(U) ENERGY: The Council tightened up its legislation overseeing
national oil stock mechanisms by adopting a directive that requires
member states to maintain minimum stocks of oil or petroleum
products. This directive is intended to ensure that there is enough
available oil in the event of a future crisis. Member states will
have to ensure that by December 31, 2012, total oil stocks
maintained at all times within the EU should correspond at least to
90 days of average daily net imports, or 61 days of average daily
inland consumption, whichever is greater.


15. (U) EU-INDIA Nuclear Energy Cooperation Agreement: TheCouncil
adopted a decision authorizing the Comission to open negotiations
on a cooperation agreement between the European Atomic Energy
Community (EURATOM) and India for research and training dealing with
the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

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16. (U) ENVIRONMENT (Ship-source Pollution): The Council adopted a
directive strengthening EU rules on ship-source pollution aimed at
improving maritime safety and enhancing protection of the
environment by making discharges of polluting substances a criminal
offense "if committed with intent, recklessly or with serious
negligence." Member states will have a year to transpose the
directive into national law.

Murray