SPAIN CONFIRMS ROLLOVER OF EU COMMON POSITION ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 000403 SIPDIS EAP/MLS (LAURA SCHEIBE) AND NSC (ELIZABETH PHU) E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD BM SP SUBJECT: SPAIN CONFIRMS ROLLOVER OF EU COMMON POSITION ON BURMA REF: SECSTATE 33547 Classified By: ADCM William H. Duncan for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). (C) POLOFF shared reftel demarche with Spanish MFA Subdirector General for the Pacific, Southeast Asia and Philippines Jose Luis Garcia Galan and MFA European Correspondent Ricardo Lopez Aranda on April 8. During an April 20 meeting, Garcia confirmed that the EU Common Position would be rolled over and conclusions (still under negotiation) issued at the April 27-28 GAERC. He assured poloff that despite Spain's lack of confidence in the efficacy of sanctions, the EU would not ease sanctions against the regime at this time. Garcia added that Spain sees no positive effect from the sanctions imposed, either on the international stage or local. The GOS does not have a bilateral trade or other financial relationship with Burma, nor is there an issue of Burmese officials wanting to travel to Spain, Garcia explained. Garcia also commented that EU Special Representative for Burma Pietro has Spain's full support, stating that the 2010 elections present an opportunity for the opposition to re-engage. "We're not naive enough to think that the elections will be completely fair or free, but support the process," he said. The GOS hopes for constructive dialogue with Burmese officials at the ASEAN-EU meeting in May, acknowledging however that the regime is unlikely to fully engage or make any dramatic move towards democratization. CHACON