VZCZCXRO0610
OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHSM #0091 0431548
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 121548Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4104
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 000091 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2019 
TAGS: PREL PGOV EU SW
SUBJECT: SWEDISH VIEWS ON FEBRUARY GAERC AGENDA ITEMS 
 
Classified By: Polcouns Marc Koehler for reasons 1.4 (B) & (D). 
 
(C) On February 11, Swedish MFA EU Deputy Correspondent Jonas 
Wendel gave poloff the following information on agenda items 
for the upcoming February 24-25 GAERC: 
 
External Relations Session 
-------------------------- 
 
-- Afghanistan: Sweden would like discussion of Afghanistan 
postponed again because it is too early to arrive at a 
decision on the EU's contribution to Afghanistan.  Wendel 
said EUPOL is having problems recruiting in all member states 
and is currently investigating possible responses. 
 
-- MEPP: Swedish PM Reinfeldt and FM Bildt have publicly 
called for full opening of the Gaza border to allow in 
humanitarian aid.  Wendel said Netanyahu is a "divisive" 
figure among EU members and the results of the election could 
alter the current general agreement among members to "be 
careful" in their public comments.  On the proposed 
international donors' conference in Cairo on March 2, Sweden 
views Egypt has having a leading role politically and within 
the donor community.  The Council conclusions of January 
still stand and Sweden does not see a reason for a new set of 
conclusions. 
 
-- Sudan: Now that the International Criminal Court has 
issued an arrest warrant for Sudan President Bashir, the 
GAERC will adopt conclusions in support of the Court's action. 
 
-- Western Balkans: Wendel said the Commission should already 
have accepted Montenegro's membership application and started 
on its "opinion."  "Membership fatigue" accounts for the slow 
process, said Wendel, and some of the members are 
purposefully putting the issue on the backburner for tactical 
reasons (not to strengthen the anti-EU forces in Serbia) or 
for financial reasons (EU cannot afford to enlarge right 
now).  Sweden believes the issue should not be politicized. 
 
-- Eastern Partnership: The February GAERC is the latest 
possible meeting at which the EaP can be endorsed in time to 
be presented at the March Summit.  Sweden drafted the 
proposal with Poland and is its principal supporter in the 
EU. 
 
Potential February Agenda Items 
------------------------------- 
 
-- The GAERC might generate general conclusions ("A Point") 
on Sri Lanka and Iraq.  Any A Point on Iraq would be to 
welcome the outcome of local elections. 
 
Future Agenda Items 
------------------- 
 
-- Iran: Iran is likely to be on the agenda in May.  The PSC 
will debate the topic after the EU3 meeting in Germany. 
SILVERMAN