EUR PDAS MCELDOWNEY AND ASHTON CABINET OFFICIAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BRUSSELS 000226 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/18/2020 TAGS: PREL EUN IR SUBJECT: EUR PDAS MCELDOWNEY AND ASHTON CABINET OFFICIAL DISCUSS IRAN, TFTP, AND SUMMITS BRUSSELS 00000226 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: USEU DCM Christopher W. Murray for reasons 1.4 b. and d. 1.(C) SUMMARY: In Brussels on February 17, EUR PDAS Nancy McEldowney met with Steven Everts, who is responsible for transatlantic relations in the cabinet of Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. They discussed building on the good rapport established between Ashton and the Secretary, such as a follow-on meeting in either New York at the end of March or in Tallinn in April. Everts proposed also that there be a U.S.-EU summit in the latter half of this year. Both noted the appointment announced that day of RELEX DG Vale de Almeida as EU ambassador to Washington. On future votes in the European Parliament on PNR and possibly a long-term TFTP, Everts said the concerns of the EP about data privacy would have to be addressed. He noted the considerable work HR Ashton did in an attempt to get the interim TFTP agreement passed. On Iran, Everts expressed growing concern among EU member states about extra-territoriality in Iran sanctions legislation pending in Congress. He said HR Ashton's contacts with the Chinese, Russians and others were to favor a UN Security Council Resolution, her preferred course of action. For issues of mutual concern beyond Iran and South Asia, Everts suggested we focus on the development dialogue. Her involvement in the Energy Council, he said, would take a little more time. END SUMMARY THE U.S.-EU RELATIONSHIP ¶2. (C) Everts and PDAS McEldowney both expressed optimism that the productive exchanges between High Rep Ashton and Secretary Clinton have fostered, as Everts put it, "a bigger picture of opportunities," despite occasional issues which might make either side clench. On the issue of a 2010 U.S.-EU Summit, both agreed that it was important to move it from a story on "process" to one on substance, with Everts adding that the EU-U.S. dialogue needed to be constant and at high level. PDAS McEldowney noted that the Secretary and the High Rep had agreed to meet on the margins of the NATO informal ministerial in Tallinn in April, if the High Rep goes. Later in the conversation, Everts proposed that the Secretary and HR Ashton meet for an hour on the margins of the Haiti conference in New York on March 31. Everts also advocated for a summit in the second half of 2010. ¶3. (C) On the appointment announced that day of RELEX Director General Vale de Almeida to head the EU mission in Washington, Everts said it was a signal that the EU wanted to keep the relationship from drifting. He added that it would take some time to "unwind" Vale de Almeida, who was previously Barroso's chief of staff, from his current responsibilities, notably as G-8 sherpa and one of the principal planners for the new External Action Service. TFTP and PNR ¶4. (C) On security and data privacy, Everts said that while HR Ashton did not handle the issue, she spent several hours a day in the lead up to the February 11 vote in the European Parliament (EP) on the Terrorist Financing Tracking Program (TFTP) interim agreement, working, ultimately unsuccessfully, for a positive outcome for the agreement. He said it was important to address the concerns of the EP on data privacy, while moving forthrightly on negotiating a long-term TFTP agreement. PDAS McEldowney agreed, but added that there is still a crucial need for the data that the interim agreement would have assured access to. She asked Everts his prognosis s vote on the upcoming PasR Qpching the prime minirritoriality in Iranss. 6.(C) Everts saQouncil (FAC) would do Q e prospects of addressingity Council, which, he a preferred venue. EQwould talk to the RQt the February 24 EU-Ruing),and had earlier thamit in Madrid) talked to an. She has also spmatter, he added. E6ust speak for the EU-2not be the "messenger boy France, UK), noting, &felt excluded from tts noted, were not to bring Iran to its knees, but to the table. BRUSSELS 00000226 002.2 OF 002 7.(C) Everts said HR Ashton's priorities were forming the External Action Service, Iran, and Afghanistan and Pakistan. When PDAS McEldowney asked what more she might want to focus on with us, Everts said the development dialogue, noting that new Development Commissioner Piebalgs is serious and gets along well with HR Ashton. When asked if she would soon engage with the transatlantic Energy Council, Everts said Baroness Ashton would need more time before doing so. ¶8. (U) PDAS McEldowney has cleared on this cable. KENNARD .