Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NICOSIA383
2009-06-17 05:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nicosia
Cable title:  

CYPRIOT POSITIONS FOR JUNE GAERC

Tags:  PREL PGOV IS SY LE CU AF PK BK YI KO HR 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0537
RR RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHNC #0383 1680505
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 170505Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY NICOSIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9923
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L NICOSIA 000383 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/16/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV IS SY LE CU AF PK BK YI KO HR
SI, SU, CY
SUBJECT: CYPRIOT POSITIONS FOR JUNE GAERC

REF: POINTS FOR JUNE GAERC FROM INTELLIPEDIA

Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY: DCM JONATHAN COHEN FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AN
D 1.4 (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L NICOSIA 000383

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/16/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV IS SY LE CU AF PK BK YI KO HR
SI, SU, CY
SUBJECT: CYPRIOT POSITIONS FOR JUNE GAERC

REF: POINTS FOR JUNE GAERC FROM INTELLIPEDIA

Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY: DCM JONATHAN COHEN FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AN
D 1.4 (d)


1. (C) On June 11, Poloffs delivered reftel points to MFA
European Union/CFSP desk officer Nikos Panayiotou. Taking up
the Israel-Palestine points first, Panayiotou stated that the
GOC welcomes recent USG overtures but remains concerned over
the stance of the Netanyahu government, particularly on the
issue of settlements. The GOC remains steadfast in
supporting a two-state solution and the Quartet Principles,
but is open to "flexibility" in determining how those
principles are fulfilled. On the Arab Peace Initiative,
Panayiotou shared that the GOC is fully behind the effort and
believes the international community should "grab the
opportunity" it presents.


2. (C) Moving on to Syria/Lebanon, Panayiotou stated that
the GOC agrees on the need for continued engagement with
Syria. While the GOC believes the SARG needs to take
additional concrete steps to show commitment to cooperate on
issues of common interest, it also feels that consideration
of an EU-Syria Association Agreement is not premature at this
point, but in fact could increase discussion momentum.


3. (C) On Georgia, Panayiotou stated that the GOC remains
steadfast in its support for the renewal of the UN Observer
Mission (UNOMIG) and the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM).
Regarding Cuba, Panayiotou said the GOC welcomes the U.S.
administration,s recent engagement efforts and shares USG
concerns over Cuba,s record on human rights and democracy.
(Comment: most higher-ranking MFA and Palace diplomats we
have engaged on Cuba do not share Panayiotou's concerns for
Havana,s HR/democracy record). Panayiotou stated that
following its annual review, the EU would likely issue a
conclusion paper that will stress the need for the reforms
announced just after the June 2008 European Council meeting.



4. (C) Panayiotou turned next to Afghanistan/Pakistan,
saying the GOC shares USG concerns regarding the urgency of
the security situation there. Regarding EU-Pakistan
bilateral trade, Cyprus favors a "people centered approach"
that would focus more on rural populations. The GOC has not
yet considered the use of Reconstructive Opportunity Zones
but is open to the idea.


5. (C) Moving on to the Western Balkans, Panayiotou stated
the GOC supports fulfillment of "5 plus 2" objectives before
closure of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) in
Bosnia. Regarding Serbia,s stance towards EULEX and
Pristina, Panayiotou said that the GOC believes Belgrade is
cooperating sufficiently. Moreover, Cyprus fully supports EU
membership for Serbia, irrespective of problems related to
Kosovo's status. As to the Croatia-Slovenia border dispute,
Cyprus leans toward supporting fellow EU member-state
Slovenia, but remains optimistic that EU Enlargement
Commissioner Olli Rehn,s efforts will resolve the dispute.
Finally, on Sudan, Cyprus supports African Union and UN
efforts for peace and fully expects the EU to push for
implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
Urbancic