CYPRUS: JANUARY FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL POINTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L NICOSIA 000038

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2020
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN CY
SUBJECT: CYPRUS: JANUARY FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL POINTS
DELIVERED

REF: JANUARY FAC POINTS FROM INTELLIPEDIA

Classified By: DCM Jonathan R. Cohen for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (U) On January 22, PolOff delivered ref points to MFA
European Correspondent Helena Mina in the Department of
Common Foreign and Security Policy. Mina welcomed the
points, which she noted would be helpful to have in mind as
Cyprus finalized its position papers.


2. (C) On Iran, Mina said that Cyprus supported the European
Council's December declaration and reiterated Cyprus's belief
that any action in response to Iran's nuclear program should
be diplomatic and UN-driven. On Somalia, she noted the need
to develop a legal framework to detain and prosecute pirates
apprehended at sea. Cyprus has participated in two meetings
on this issue in the Hague, where the participants discussed
creating a new tribunal to handle such cases. In addition,
Cyprus favorably views the possible launch of EUTRA, a new EU
mission in Somalia that would focus on training security
forces. On Yemen, Mina took note of the January 27th London
conference date but did not foresee any participation by
Cyprus.


3. (C) Mina did not have feedback on the other points at this
time, but she noted that Ukraine is not on the agenda for the
upcoming FAC meeting.
URBANCIC