CYPRUS: SHARES US CONCERNS ON IAEA GENERAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L NICOSIA 000541 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE AND ISN/RA E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2019 TAGS: KNNP AORC PREL PARM CY SUBJECT: CYPRUS: SHARES US CONCERNS ON IAEA GENERAL CONFERENCE REF: SECSTATE 85128 Classified By: CDA Jonathan Cohen, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) On August 20, Poloff shared reftel points on Middle East issues at the upcoming International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference (GC) with Acting Head of Cyprus MFA Multilateral Affairs Department Andreas Nicolaides. Nicolaides stated that the GOC and the EU share the same concerns as the USG and would be putting forth a concerted effort to formulate a policy in Brussels to address this issue. Nicolaides stressed that Cyprus' aspiration is a nuclear-free Middle East; the IAEA has important work to do in this regard, and its focus should not be distracted by further politicization. As to ideas for a single resolution that could be a basis for consensus, Nicolaides stated that he had no immediate thoughts on the matter, but promised to follow-up next week with his colleague Panayiotis Papadopolous, who normally handles IAEA matters. Post will report any forthcoming information. Cohen