Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STOCKHOLM91
2009-02-12 15:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:
SWEDISH VIEWS ON FEBRUARY GAERC AGENDA ITEMS
how-toVZCZCXRO0610 OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHSM #0091 0431548 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 121548Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4104 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 000091
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV EU SW
SUBJECT: SWEDISH VIEWS ON FEBRUARY GAERC AGENDA ITEMS
Classified By: Polcouns Marc Koehler for reasons 1.4 (B) & (D).
(C) On February 11, Swedish MFA EU Deputy Correspondent Jonas
Wendel gave POLOFF the following information on agenda items
for the upcoming February 24-25 GAERC:
External Relations Session
--------------
-- Afghanistan: Sweden would like discussion of Afghanistan
postponed again because it is too early to arrive at a
decision on the EU's contribution to Afghanistan. Wendel
said EUPOL is having problems recruiting in all member states
and is currently investigating possible responses.
-- MEPP: Swedish PM Reinfeldt and FM Bildt have publicly
called for full opening of the Gaza border to allow in
humanitarian aid. Wendel said Netanyahu is a "divisive"
figure among EU members and the results of the election could
alter the current general agreement among members to "be
careful" in their public comments. On the proposed
international donors' conference in Cairo on March 2, Sweden
views Egypt has having a leading role politically and within
the donor community. The Council conclusions of January
still stand and Sweden does not see a reason for a new set of
conclusions.
-- Sudan: Now that the International Criminal Court has
issued an arrest warrant for Sudan President Bashir, the
GAERC will adopt conclusions in support of the Court's action.
-- Western Balkans: Wendel said the Commission should already
have accepted Montenegro's membership application and started
on its "opinion." "Membership fatigue" accounts for the slow
process, said Wendel, and some of the members are
purposefully putting the issue on the backburner for tactical
reasons (not to strengthen the anti-EU forces in Serbia) or
for financial reasons (EU cannot afford to enlarge right
now). Sweden believes the issue should not be politicized.
-- Eastern Partnership: The February GAERC is the latest
possible meeting at which the EaP can be endorsed in time to
be presented at the March Summit. Sweden drafted the
proposal with Poland and is its principal supporter in the
EU.
Potential February Agenda Items
--------------
-- The GAERC might generate general conclusions ("A Point")
on Sri Lanka and Iraq. Any A Point on Iraq would be to
welcome the outcome of local elections.
Future Agenda Items
--------------
-- Iran: Iran is likely to be on the agenda in May. The PSC
will debate the topic after the EU3 meeting in Germany.
SILVERMAN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV EU SW
SUBJECT: SWEDISH VIEWS ON FEBRUARY GAERC AGENDA ITEMS
Classified By: Polcouns Marc Koehler for reasons 1.4 (B) & (D).
(C) On February 11, Swedish MFA EU Deputy Correspondent Jonas
Wendel gave POLOFF the following information on agenda items
for the upcoming February 24-25 GAERC:
External Relations Session
--------------
-- Afghanistan: Sweden would like discussion of Afghanistan
postponed again because it is too early to arrive at a
decision on the EU's contribution to Afghanistan. Wendel
said EUPOL is having problems recruiting in all member states
and is currently investigating possible responses.
-- MEPP: Swedish PM Reinfeldt and FM Bildt have publicly
called for full opening of the Gaza border to allow in
humanitarian aid. Wendel said Netanyahu is a "divisive"
figure among EU members and the results of the election could
alter the current general agreement among members to "be
careful" in their public comments. On the proposed
international donors' conference in Cairo on March 2, Sweden
views Egypt has having a leading role politically and within
the donor community. The Council conclusions of January
still stand and Sweden does not see a reason for a new set of
conclusions.
-- Sudan: Now that the International Criminal Court has
issued an arrest warrant for Sudan President Bashir, the
GAERC will adopt conclusions in support of the Court's action.
-- Western Balkans: Wendel said the Commission should already
have accepted Montenegro's membership application and started
on its "opinion." "Membership fatigue" accounts for the slow
process, said Wendel, and some of the members are
purposefully putting the issue on the backburner for tactical
reasons (not to strengthen the anti-EU forces in Serbia) or
for financial reasons (EU cannot afford to enlarge right
now). Sweden believes the issue should not be politicized.
-- Eastern Partnership: The February GAERC is the latest
possible meeting at which the EaP can be endorsed in time to
be presented at the March Summit. Sweden drafted the
proposal with Poland and is its principal supporter in the
EU.
Potential February Agenda Items
--------------
-- The GAERC might generate general conclusions ("A Point")
on Sri Lanka and Iraq. Any A Point on Iraq would be to
welcome the outcome of local elections.
Future Agenda Items
--------------
-- Iran: Iran is likely to be on the agenda in May. The PSC
will debate the topic after the EU3 meeting in Germany.
SILVERMAN