SWEDEN ON MARCH GAERC AND GYMNICH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 STOCKHOLM 000170

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/11/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV BO MD MW BK MK SU EG EU SW
SUBJECT: SWEDEN ON MARCH GAERC AND GYMNICH

Classified By: Political Counselor Marc Koehler for reasons 1.4 (B) & (
D).


1. (C) On March 10, Poloff discussed the March GAERC and
GYMNICH with EU Deputy Correspondent Jonas Wendel; on March
6, POL Counselor met separately with EU Correspondent Magnus
Scholdtz. Their comments follow:

General Affairs Session: Afghanistan, Chad, Ireland
-------------- --------------

-- On Afghanistan, Council Secretariat conclusions calling
for increased EU engagement supporting the election process
will be presented as an "A" point. Because the EU 27 need to
be "fully calibrated" before issuing any declaration at the
March 19-20 European Council, Afghanistan might appear also
as a "false B item" to allow for a short discussion.

-- The Council Secretariat and Commission were both tasked
with producing options for addressing the problem of
recruiting civil servants for the EUPOL Mission. HighRep
Solana was "very forceful" with member states on the need to
produce personnel for EUPOL. A number of different Working
Groups are currently looking at incentive packages for
civilian personnel, focusing on improving per diems and
working conditions to make Afghanistan attractive.

-- The EU still is undecided on whether to expand the mandate
of EU Special Representative Ettore Sequi to match that of
Ambassador Holbrooke, that is, to explicitly include
Pakistan. Scholdtz noted that Sequi,s mandate is not
explicitly limited to Afghanistan, but that it would be
better to clearly articulate his regional responsibility.
Scholdtz also discussed the possibility of "double-hatting"
Sequi as both special representative and head of the European
Commission delegation in Kabul. Sweden favors double-hatting
him so that he will have the Commission at his disposal.

-- On Chad and the Central African Republic, the EU will also
make a statement on the planned transition from the EUFOR
mission to the UN mission, MINURCAT. The EUFOR mandate
expires March 15. The EU will not reduce involvement with
the hand-over; Sweden does not currently contribute.

-- Preparations for the March 19-20 European Council meeting
will also include discussion of the Irish referendum. At the
next COREPER, Ireland will give an update on its preparations
for the referendum.

External Relations Session: Belarus, Balkans, Bashir
-------------- --------------

-- On Belarus, the EU likely will extend the suspension of
traveling sanctions for another six months. Sweden has seen
some positive developments in Belarus from the October
sanctions suspension: increased social tolerance, release of
dissidents, and the registration of a new, large political
party. If the Belarusian Parliament recognizes Abkhazia and
South Ossettia, the EU will have to "rethink the whole policy
towards Belarus" said Wendel; Scholdtz noted Sweden would
have "real trouble" with such a move by Lukashenko. The
suspension of sanctions would legally permit President
Lukashenko to attend the May 7 launch of the Eastern
Partnership, but he has not yet been invited. Wendel said
the "over-focus" on Belarus is "uncomfortable" for the
Czechs, who will likely try to push further discussion to the
GYMNICH.

-- On Montenegrin EU accession, Scholdtz noted reluctance
from two member states (Netherlands, which has "enlargement
fatigue," and Germany, which fears opening up its borders to
other workers from the Western Balkans). He said Sweden
shares the analysis that Montenegro will not be ready for EU
accession in the near future, Scholdtz stated that it is
still important for the Commission to put forward an avis at
this time. Wendel said some member states want to treat the
Western Balkans as a group regarding accession. EU consensus
is "unlikely" said Wendel, and the Czechs might push further
discussion to the GYMNICH.

-- Discussion of Bosnia and Herzegovina will focus on ways to
strengthen EU presence in BiH; prolonging the ALTHEA mission
and fine-tuning its mandate; and double-hatting the EU
Special Representative as both representative and head of the
EU mission. Sweden supports the Austrian candidate Inzko,
but wants the decision to be made with Washington and Moscow.

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-- Macedonia was removed from the agenda; the EU might issue
a statement after the March 22 elections. Moldova was also
taken off the agenda.

-- On Sudan, the Czech presidency just issued a statement on
the ICC arrest warrant, so further discussion is unlikely,
according to Wendel. Scholdtz predicted that the evolving EU
position would be very heavily influenced by what the U.S.
says and does.

GYMNICH -- Middle East
--------------

-- On March 15, the Troika will meet with Egypt and the
Palestinian Authority to receive an update on the
Israeli-Palestinian talks. Egypt requested the meeting, but
Jordan declined the invitation. The Swedes will not
participate, Wendel said.


2. (U) Post will follow up on GYMNICH topics involving Iran
and the Middle East with MFA Middle East experts later this
week and report septel.
SILVERMAN