AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES ENLARGEMENT, AFGHANISTAN WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 STOCKHOLM 000574

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/09/2019
TAGS: PINR PREL TU SW
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES ENLARGEMENT, AFGHANISTAN WITH
EU MINISTER CECILIA MALMSTROM

Classified By: Amb. Matthew Barzun for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).


1. (C) Summary. In the Ambassador's introductory call on the
Minister for EU Affairs, Cecilia Malmstrom, the minister
expressed Sweden's eagerness to work together with the United
States on climate issues and in Afghanistan. She cautiously
said the Swedish EU presidency so far was going "okay" and
updated the Ambassador on the EU enlargement process. She
noted that:

--Swedish casualties in Afghanistan could lead to a national
debate about Swedish involvement, though "basic support" for
such exists;

--On Turkey's EU accession, the Ankara Protocol is unlikely
to be signed this fall, but there is still hope that the
environment chapter might be opened;

--Serbia's EU application may be made by the end of the year,
while Albania has been making good progress toward meeting EU
standards and its membership application will probably be
forwarded to the EU Commission in October;

--The "childish" bilateral dispute between Slovenia and
Croatia shows signs of nearing resolution, but the
FYROM-Greek name dispute does not.

End Summary.

Climate Change
--------------


2. (C) Underscoring the strong cultural ties between the two
countries, Malmstrom clearly voiced the willingness of the
Government of Sweden to cooperate with the United States.
Notwithstanding the important domestic issues facing
President Obama, she entreated Washington to remain engaged
in climate change negotiations. Malmstrom estimated that a
global agreement would not be reached at the Copenhagen
summit; some, such as India is "not even a little interested"
in the climate issue, she remarked. Malmstrom is working, as
EU president, to preserve a united EU negotiating stance, and
said the Commission would shortly propose funding for climate
change measures. She said she hoped that with robust
international engagement the "contours" of an agreement could
still be hammered out at COP-15.

Afghanistan
--------------


3. (C) Malmstrom noted that Sweden would be increasing the
number of its troops in Afghanistan. Although she noted that
the death of a Swede there would lead to a national debate
about involvement, she averred that the "basic support" was
there, and that the government was very committed to the
mission.

EU Enlargement
--------------


4. (C) The Minister thanked Washington for its support of EU
enlargement and Turkish EU membership. She remained
optimistic that the environmental chapter of Turkey's
accession negotiations could be opened this fall, but did not
anticipate that the Ankara Protocol would be signed, and
therefore additional chapters, such as the one on energy,
would remain blocked. Cyprus must take action before the
Protocol can be signed, Malmstrom explained. She was
optimistic that progress could move forward during the
January-June 2010 Spanish EU President, as Spain supports
Turkish EU membership and Spanish President Zapatero and
Turkish PM Erdogan are friends. At the same time, she said
Turkey could speed up internal reforms in order to make
progress on accession. Although she said that Stockholm has
a "very open" relationship with Turkey, Malmstrom suggested
that pressure from Washington could move things along. "It is
they who are applying, after all."

Western Balkans
--------------


5. (C) Malmstrom, who had just met with Serbian FM Jeremic,
judged that Belgrade may hand in an application to the EU by
the end of the year. Albania has been making good progress
toward meeting EU standards, and its membership application
will probably be forwarded to the EU Commission in October.
The "childish" bilateral dispute between Slovenia and Croatia
shows signs of nearing resolution now that the two have begun
direct talks with one another. The FYROM-Greek name dispute
has more serious consequences, for without a clear path to
the EU, FYROM is unlikely to make other important reforms and

STOCKHOLM 00000574 002 OF 002


its internal stability could be threatened. Malmstrom
expressed her hope that the Lisbon Treaty would soon be
approved, otherwise enlargement would be much more difficult.

Bio Note
--------------


6. (U) Malmstrom expressed her pleasure at having been able
to attend the 2008 Democratic Convention in Denver together
with Environment Minister Andreas Carlgren. She and her
husband, who is Norwegian by birth, live in Goteborg with
their twins, a boy and a girl born in 2003.
BARZUN