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