PORTUGAL: GAERC CONTINUES TO WAIT ON IRAN

UNCLAS LISBON 000261 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PO SUBJECT: PORTUGAL: GAERC CONTINUES TO WAIT ON IRAN ¶1. (SBU) On May 14 Portugal's MFA Deputy EU Correspondent Florbela Cardy shared Portugal's views on the May GAERC. Russia and Moldova are on the morning GAERC agenda, and Iran, Georgia, and Sri Lanka will be the lunchtime topics. The afternoon session including ministers of foreign affairs and defense will address Somalia and Bosnia. ¶2. (SBU) Russia: Cardy said the EU position on Russia is in agreement with the U.S., supporting existing institutions and continuing our unified dialog with Russia. Cardy shared no details regarding plans for the May 21-22 EU-Russia summit. ¶3. (SBU) Moldova: Cardy concurred that EU-U.S. coordination following the April violence in Moldova has been strong and said the EU continues to monitor the situation as "the normal political process" is followed by the Moldovan government. ¶4. (SBU) Iran: The EU encourages Iran to take advantage of their "golden opportunity" to improve relations with the U.S. and supports ongoing U.S. efforts toward engagement with Iran. The EU is pleased by the release of Roxana Saberi but continues to be concerned about ongoing human rights violations by the Iranian government. When pressed about the need for additional EU designations of individuals and entities associated with proliferation-sensitive activities Cardy replied that GAERC discussions "have not reached that level." ¶5. (SBU) Georgia: Cardy said the EU position on Georgia is in alignment with U.S. points. ¶6. (SBU) Sri Lanka: The EU continues the sentiments expressed at the April GAERC and agrees with President Obama's May 13 statement. ¶7. (SBU) Somalia/EUNAVFOR Atalanta Anti-Piracy Mission: The EU agrees the Somalia situation requires a coordinated effort to address the violence in the country and the economic and institutional conditions that contribute to the piracy. Cardy said the EU strongly supports Operation Atalanta and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). ¶8. (SBU) Bosnia: The EU agrees with the U.S. position. Cardy said there is agreement for a EUFOR drawdown and eventual transition to a training and advisory mission but only after the Peace Implementation Council's benchmarks for closure of the Office of the High Representative have been met. For more reporting from Embassy Lisbon and information about Portugal, please see our Intelink site: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/portal:port ugal STEPHENSON