ITALY AWAITING FORMATION OF EU POLICY TOWARD

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 000035 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/19/2019 TAGS: PREL GG RS IT SUBJECT: ITALY AWAITING FORMATION OF EU POLICY TOWARD GEORGIA'S SEPARATIST REGIONS REF: 08 STATE 134559 Classified By: Liam Wasley, Acting Political Minister Counselor, for re asons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Ambassador delivered reftel points on January 5 to FM Frattini and indicated US interest in working with Europeans to develop a strategy to encourage the reintegration of separatist areas in Georgia. The Foreign Minister stated that was unaware of any existing strategy and would pass the points on to his staff for consideration. On January 12, poloff delivered points to Michela Carboniero, Office Director for Russia and former Soviet countries. Carboniero said Italy supports Georgia's territorial integrity and closer association and cooperation with NATO but noted that Italy would coordinate all other measures toward Georgia with the EU. She noted that so far Italy was unaware of any specific proposals to bring Georgia closer to the EU or any pending EU economic initiatives to encourage separatist governments to reintegrate. Italy, however, would be willing to favorably consider any such proposals should they be raised. ¶2. (C) Carboniero surmised that Italy would be opposed to sanctions or visa restrictions against the leadership of the separatist regions. Italy generally opposes sanctions and travel bans and would likely oppose such measures in this particular case out of fear that it would not contribute to the overall stability of the region. Italy would carefully study any specific proposals from the U.S. in this regard, however. SPOGLI