SPAIN RECEIVES SEDM DEMARCHE

UNCLAS MADRID 001017 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/WE, EUR/SCE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR PREL SR MW SP SUBJECT: SPAIN RECEIVES SEDM DEMARCHE REF: STATE 107044 ¶1. Reftel points were delivered to MFA desk officer for the U.S., Fernando Prieto, who will undertake to circulate our views more widely to Spanish foreign policy makers in advance of the October 20-21 ministerial hosted by Bulgaria. Prieto was pleased that the U.S. position on Serbian membership in SEDM had evolved. He said that FM Moratinos would agree that inclusion of Serbia into SEDM would help moderate Serbian policy over time. Spain also agrees that increased regional participation will help Serbia integrate positively with its regional neighbors. Post also reinforced our continuing request that Spain refrain from any actions that would undermine Kosovo's integration into regional and international structures. Prieto reiterated that we must "agree to disagree" on Kosovo independence, but Spain would not work against Kosovo's interests. CHACON