CYPRUS: DECEMBER FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL POINTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L NICOSIA 000774 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN CY SUBJECT: CYPRUS: DECEMBER FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL POINTS DELIVERED REF: DECEMBER FAC POINTS FROM INTELLIPEDIA Classified By: DCM Jonathan R. Cohen for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) On December 7, Poloff delivered ref points to Cyprus MFA Deputy European Correspondent Nectarios Soteriou in the Department of Common Foreign and Security Policy and Attache Dionysis Dionysiou in the Department of Middle East and Africa. They shared the following views on behalf of the Government of Cyprus (GOC) on the Western Balkans, Iran, and the Middle East. ¶2. (C) WESTERN BALKANS. Soteriou relayed the GOC's conviction that all Western Balkan states should eventually be part of the EU, but stressed that in the accession process, all states should be treated in an equal manner. Cyprus believes Bosnia needs to take steps to reverse the deteriorating political situation and hopes the U.S.-EU Butmir package will bear fruit. On Albania, Cyprus welcomes the progress achieved in certain areas, but notes the need to strengthen rule of law. On Macedonia (Note: Cyprus, like Greece, uses the term FYROM, or Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia),Cyprus seeks a solution to the name dispute "as soon as possible," which will enable the commencement of accession negotiations. Like the U.S., Cyprus looks forward to further progress on EU integration efforts in Montenegro, Serbia, and Croatia. ¶3. (C) IRAN. According to Dionysiou, Cyprus shares U.S. concern, and the European Council plans to discuss and issue a statement on Iran's nuclear program. Dionysiou believes that the inconsistencies coming from Iran on its nuclear program stem from an internal power struggle in the country following the unrest of June 2009 and, thus, it is not capable of coming up with a single coherent position at this time. Cyprus favors exerting pressure on Iran though a UN Security Council resolution over any autonomous measures from the EU, but is keeping all options open. Cyprus also believes that increased dialogue on Iran between the EU and the Gulf States would be beneficial. ¶4. (C) MIDDLE EAST. Dionysiou noted that Israel's West Bank moratorium is a limited but positive step and noted Cyprus's concern for peace and security in its neighboring region. Cyprus would like to see greater positive recognition of improved Palestinian security efforts, suggesting that Israel could grant the Palestinian Authority (PA) control over additional areas of Jericho and East Jerusalem. Generally, however, Cyprus is pessimistic about the prospect for the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Based on his discussions with interlocutors from the Arab League, Egypt, and the PA, Dionysiou believes the parties will only come to the table once there is an "end game" offering more tangible political objectives and a timeframe; the EU hopes the U.S. will draw the Israelis and Palestinians back to negotiations by making specific recommendations to reach a practical plan. Regarding additional support for the PA, Dionysiou noted that Cyprus, within its means, is supporting the PA through contributions to training programs, inter alia, and attended donors conferences in Paris and Sharm el-Sheikh. URBANCIC