SPAIN'S VIEWS ON MAY GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 000471

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/ERA (JEFF GIAUQUE)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN'S VIEWS ON MAY GAERC

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires William H. Duncan for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).


1. (C) Poloff discussed anticipated agenda items for the May
18-19 GAERC with Spanish MFA Deputy Political Director
Ricardo Lopez Aranda May 14. Lopez said that the GUMBO GAERC
would include a special meeting of Foreign Affairs and
Defense Ministers to discuss EUFOR ALTHEA and Operation
Atalanta. The foreign ministers will focus on Iran, the
EU-Russia summit, Moldova, and Georgia; issue conclusions on
Sri Lanka and Somalia; and discuss Kenya under "other
business." The June European Council agenda will also be
developed and will likely include the Middle East Peace
Process and plans for a EU-Pakistan summit.


2. (C) Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial: Commenting on
the excellent "multi-lateral, civilian and military
coordination," Lopez said that discussion on Operation
Atalanta will focus on the characteristics and scope of the
mission's future, considering civil and military capacities
for development in light of member states' economic
situations. They will review the mission's impact on piracy
in the region, and how, geographically speaking, the mission
should proceed. He pointed to the recent problems in the
Seychelles, stating that protection is equally as important
in this area. On EUFOR ALTHEA, Lopez said that although the
decision whether to withdraw will be a collective one, Spain
considers the military objectives completed.


3. (C) Iran: Lopez reiterated Spain's full support for U.S.
participation in the E3 3 process and the new policy of
engagement with Iran. Lopez confirmed that although several
countries are anxious to prepare for alternatives should Iran
continue to dismiss E3 3 overtures, Spain continues to
support the dual-track strategy - believing that tightening
or increasing sanctions will not produce the desired
behavior. Lopez added that Spain will not block any internal
EU move to consider additional sanctions, but would prefer
the focus remain on the dual-track strategy.


4. (C) EU-Russia Summit: Lopez said that Spain's objective
for the May 21-22 EU-Russia summit is to normalize relations.
He added that summit preparations are on the right track,
with the EU looking beyond differences (South Ossetia and
Abkhazia) and using commonalities and areas of mutual
understanding to deepen and develop good relations.


5. (C) Moldova: Lopez said the foreign ministers will have a
follow-up discussion on Moldova, focusing on stimulating the
government and its institutions and making clear that
Chisinau's government must make changes that demonstrate a
genuine respect for human rights if Moldova wants to approach
the EU.


6. (C) Georgia: According to Lopez, the foreign ministers
will discuss Georgia at a working lunch. They will focus on
the importance of the OSCE and UNOMIG in the region and the
need for the missions' continued cooperative relations. Of
Spain's ten Guardia Civil allocated to the EU Monitoring
Mission, Lopez said that their continued presence is an
ongoing debate, but that for the time being, they will stay.
DUNCAN