LUXEMBOURG VIEWS ON FEBRUARY 2010 FAC

C O N F I D E N T I A L LUXEMBOURG 000041

SIPDIS
DEPT PASS TO EUR/ERA: ELIZABETH KONICK
AMEMBASSY ANKARA PASS TO AMCONSUL ADANA
AMEMBASSY ASTANA PASS TO AMCONSUL ALMATY
AMEMBASSY BERLIN PASS TO AMCONSUL DUSSELDORF
AMEMBASSY BERLIN PASS TO AMCONSUL LEIPZIG
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PASS TO AMEMBASSY PODGORICA
AMEMBASSY HELSINKI PASS TO AMCONSUL ST PETERSBURG
AMEMBASSY ATHENS PASS TO AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PASS TO AMCONSUL VLADIVOSTOK
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PASS TO AMCONSUL YEKATERINBURG

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/02/19
TAGS: ENRG PGOV EUN IR HA UP LU
SUBJECT: LUXEMBOURG VIEWS ON FEBRUARY 2010 FAC

REF: ELIZABETH KONICK EMAIL 02/18/2010; 10 LUXEMBOURG 37
10 LUXEMBOURG 35

CLASSIFIED BY: Via, Michael, Pol/Econ Chief, DOS, Pol/Econ; REASON:
1.4(A),(B),(D)


1. (C) Summary: Pol/Econ Chief discussed Ref A points on U.S.
positions concerning the February 22 FAC (Foreign Affairs Council)
with Sandra Metz, MFA temporary European Desk Officer, February 19.
Metz said Foreign Minister Asselborn would likely travel to another
country next week and may not attend the FAC meeting. She
volunteered that the MFA had not yet decided who would attend if
Asselborn travelled elsewhere. Metz stated that GOL positions
concerning Iran and Haiti remained unchanged. The GOL expects to
discuss Ukraine in some detail at the FAC and has begun to solidify
its position in favor of using the European Energy Community's
invitation to Ukraine as leverage to promote reform. End summary.




2. (C) IRAN: Metz said the GOL position concerning Iran was
unchanged. They continue to support the U.S. position and would
support multilateral sanctions even if Russia or China veto a UNSC
resolution (Ref. C).




3. (C) UKRAINE: According to Metz, the GOL has begun to solidify
its position in favor of using the European Energy Community's
invitation to Ukraine as leverage to promote reform. However, the
GOL understands the concerns of other EU member states that
February may be too early in the Yanukovych Presidency to say
"Congratulations on your electoral victory, now make reforms."
Metz explained that the GOL views Ukraine as important to the EU in
general and Luxembourg in particular, both for its strategic
location near Russia and as a trading partner with the EU.




4. (C) HAITI: Metz said the GOL position concerning further
assistance to Haiti remains unchanged. Luxembourg may provide
additional assistance through the EU but has not made any final
decisions (Ref. B).

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