Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10PARIS202
2010-02-19 16:47:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
EU ARMS EMBARGO ON CHINA: FRANCE SUPPORTS LIFTING,
how-toVZCZCXRO2984 PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHFR #0202 0501647 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 191647Z FEB 10 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8364 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2184
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 000202
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/ERA, EAP/CM, PM/RSAT, ISN/RA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2020
TAGS: PREL ETTC MASS PARM CH FR
SUBJECT: EU ARMS EMBARGO ON CHINA: FRANCE SUPPORTS LIFTING,
BUT NOT (YET) IN THE CARDS
REF: STATE 13969
Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew Young, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 000202
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/ERA, EAP/CM, PM/RSAT, ISN/RA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2020
TAGS: PREL ETTC MASS PARM CH FR
SUBJECT: EU ARMS EMBARGO ON CHINA: FRANCE SUPPORTS LIFTING,
BUT NOT (YET) IN THE CARDS
REF: STATE 13969
Classified By: POLITICAL Counselor Andrew Young, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d).
1. (C) In response to points in reftel, MFA Deputy Director
for EU Common Foreign and Security Policy Mathieu Carmona
said France continues to support lifting the EU's arms
embargo on China, since "it is not a useful tool," and export
controls could accomplish the same goal. However, he said
lifting the embargo continues to be unlikely given a lack of
consensus in the EU.
2. (C) Moreover, Carmona claimed there is no serious
discussion of the issue in the EU at present. However,
France is hoping for a larger discussion of the EU's
relationships with "emerging powers," including China, with
the goal of harmonizing commercial, security, and POLITICAL
priorities into a coherent overall policy. It is possible
that the arms embargo may come up in this context, he said,
adding that France hoped to include the "emerging powers"
discussion on the agenda for the informal March 5-6 Gymnich
meeting of EU foreign ministers.
RIVKIN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/ERA, EAP/CM, PM/RSAT, ISN/RA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2020
TAGS: PREL ETTC MASS PARM CH FR
SUBJECT: EU ARMS EMBARGO ON CHINA: FRANCE SUPPORTS LIFTING,
BUT NOT (YET) IN THE CARDS
REF: STATE 13969
Classified By: POLITICAL Counselor Andrew Young, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d).
1. (C) In response to points in reftel, MFA Deputy Director
for EU Common Foreign and Security Policy Mathieu Carmona
said France continues to support lifting the EU's arms
embargo on China, since "it is not a useful tool," and export
controls could accomplish the same goal. However, he said
lifting the embargo continues to be unlikely given a lack of
consensus in the EU.
2. (C) Moreover, Carmona claimed there is no serious
discussion of the issue in the EU at present. However,
France is hoping for a larger discussion of the EU's
relationships with "emerging powers," including China, with
the goal of harmonizing commercial, security, and POLITICAL
priorities into a coherent overall policy. It is possible
that the arms embargo may come up in this context, he said,
adding that France hoped to include the "emerging powers"
discussion on the agenda for the informal March 5-6 Gymnich
meeting of EU foreign ministers.
RIVKIN