CYPRIOT STANCE AT MARCH GAERC/GYMNICH

C O N F I D E N T I A L NICOSIA 000181 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/13/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV SU GZ HR MW IR IS BO SY CY SUBJECT: CYPRIOT STANCE AT MARCH GAERC/GYMNICH REF: POINTS FOR MARCH GAERC/GYMNICH FROM INTELLIPEDIA Classified By: DCM Jonathan Cohen, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) On March 12, Poloff delivered reftel points to MFA European Union desk officer Nikos Panayiotou. Starting with the upcoming GAERC, and in particular with its Western Balkans discussion component, Panayiotou assured that the GOC position on Bosnia remains the same, and that the GOC believes that all closure objectives should be fulfilled before the closure of the Office of the High Representative (OHR). At the same time, Panayiotou qualified the GOC position by stressing that "Bosnia must be encouraged to move ahead." On Montenegro -- which has now come off the GAERC agenda -- Panayiotou volunteered that the GOC fully supported its integration into Europe. ¶2. (C) Moving on to Belarus, Panayiotou acknowledged that the GOB had taken positive steps but was unconvinced the trend would continue. Further reforms are needed, Panayiotou noted, particularly in human rights and democratization. The GOC believes that continued EU engagement could provide the desired results. A debate regarding the level of Belarus's participation at the May 7 Prague Summit is ongoing within the EU, he added, in which the GOC is trying to keep a low profile. The GOC believes that Belarus should receive an invitation, but the level of participation should be appropriate, i.e., below that of President Lukashenko. ¶3. (C) Panayiotou said the GOC sees a worsening humanitarian situation in Sudan. Full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) is of the utmost importance to the GOC. While recognizing that the warrant for President Bashir will have repercussions, a deferral of this warrant would not be supported by the GOC, short of a UNSCR calling for one specifically -- highly unlikely given the USG position, he thought. ¶4. (C) Transatlantic relations would be a last-minute addition to the agenda for the upcoming GAERC, Panayiotou said. The GOC welcomes increased cooperation and dialogue on a broad range of issues with the new US administration, including on the Middle East, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. ¶5. (C) Moving to the Gymnich, Panayiotou raised Israel-Palestine and said that the GOC agrees that the Palestinian Authority needs to be supported, as do Egypt's efforts to stabilize the region. At the same time, the GOC is not averse to the formation of a unity government. The GOC supports the Quartet Principles, Panayiotou said; however, there should be more flexibility in the evaluation of how those principles are fulfilled. If Hamas were to indicate acceptance of Quartet Principles, there perhaps was space to cooperate with them (within a unity government). More humanitarian aid for the Palestinians is needed, Panayiotou added, and his government hopes that the new GOI will itself adhere to the Quartet Principles. Worrying were recent "negative signs" from certain Israeli politicians, however. ¶6. (C) Panayiotou next raised Syria, stressing the GOC belief that continued engagement is crucial. He admitted, however, that the international community needs to continuously monitor the Syrian government to ensure it is "taking the proper steps." On Iran, Panayiotou said that Cyprus, much like the international community writ large, is waiting to see how the position of the new US administration will develop. The EU is ready to discuss further restrictive measures, he said, but "having the whole international community (i.e., the UNSC) on board would be most effective." Panayiotou also stressed that any additional measures could have a negative counter-effect, particularly in light of June elections in Iran. Urbancic