AUSTRIAN VIEW ON WAY FORWARD ON THE SEPARATIST

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 000037 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/09/2019 TAGS: PREL GG RS AU SUBJECT: AUSTRIAN VIEW ON WAY FORWARD ON THE SEPARATIST REGIONS OF GEORGIA REF: STATE 134559 Classified by: Economic-Political Counselor J. Dean Yap for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). (C) Polchief discussed reftel points January 9 with Franz-Josef Kuglitsch, MFA Director for Southeast Europe. Kuglitsch agreed that it makes sense for the U.S. and Europe to coordinate on a long-term approach to the separatist regions of Georgia. However, he maintained that the EU remains focused on the Geneva Process under the leadership of Special Envoy Morel, and member states have not discussed a more long-term approach as outlined reftel. He said Austria and other EU members will be guided by Morel on how to proceed. Depending on the outcome of the Geneva Process, it may make sense to pursue some of the reftel measures, but it would be "premature" to implement sanctions while the Process is ongoing, he averred. GIRARD-DICARLO