EU-GCC MEETING IN MUSCAT: FOCUS ON IRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000433 SIPDIS NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2018 TAGS: PREL EPET PBTS PINR KU SUBJECT: EU-GCC MEETING IN MUSCAT: FOCUS ON IRAN REF: KUWAIT 0432 Classified By: Political Counselor Peter O'Donohue for reasons 1.4 b an d d ¶1. (C) In the course of an April 28 meeting on Kosovo (reftel),MFA U/S Khaled Jarallah took advantage of the presence of senior Kuwait-based French, German, Italian and UK representatives to broach the 19th EU-GCC Joint Council and Ministerial meeting scheduled in Muscat for April 29. UK Ambassador Michael Aron noted that the Riyadh-based EU representative would attend, and expressed hope that the meeting might boost the slow-moving EU-GCC free trade agreement negotiations. Jarallah did not address the point, but offered what seemed to be prepared points on Iran. ¶2. (C) Jarallah declared that the GOK regards Iran as the paramount threat to its security and to the stability of the Gulf region. Accordingly, the GOK urges the EU to partner effectively with the USG to maximize international pressure on Iran to freeze its nuclear program and engage in constructive dialogue. While keen to avoid any miscalculation that might lead to conflict, KUWAIT does not wish to see Iran develop a capability to produce highly enriched uranium and/or obtain an actual nuclear weapon. Jarallah indicated that KUWAIT would make a formal statement to this effect during the conference. ********************************************* ********* For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: visit Kuwait's Classified Website at: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Kuwa it ********************************************* ********* JONES