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DE RUEHBS #1266/01 2640904
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P 210904Z SEP 09
FM USEU BRUSSELS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEU/EU INTEREST COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BRUSSELS 001266 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/RPM 
 
E.O.: 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL EINT ECPS PTER EUN
SUBJECT:  EU FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET (GAERC) TO DISCUSS AFGHANISTAN, 
IRAN, SOUTHERN CAUCASUS, AND MORE 
 
REF: Stockholm 577 
 
Sensitive but Unclassified.  Please handle accordingly. 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY:  EU Foreign Ministers (FMs) met in Brussels on 
September 14-15 as the General Affairs and External Relations 
Council (GAERC) to review EU foreign policy priority areas. 
Discussions in the External Affairs Council centered on Iran, 
Afghanistan, and the Southern Caucasus, with the Council adopting 
conclusions on Sudan and Honduras, and renewing the mission 
statement for the EU Security Mission to the Democratic Republic of 
Congo (EUSEC RD Congo).  Discussions in the General Affairs Council 
reviewed progress reports on energy infrastructure development, as 
well as crisis mechanisms relating to the security of energy 
supplies.  The Council also discussed preparations for the upcoming 
European Council meeting on October 29-30, the agenda for which will 
include institutional issues (implementation of the Lisbon Treaty, 
if appropriate), climate change, the economic crisis, a Baltic Sea 
strategy, illegal immigration and developments in external 
relations.  The Council also approved European Commission (EC) 
reports on progress made in Bulgaria and Romania under the 
Cooperation and Verification Mechanism, while noting that there is 
far more work to be done by both. 
 
¶2. (SBU) The press conference following the GAERC noted the upcoming 
"5+1" talks with Iran on October 1, and called for internationalund at 
http://g more sanQ he saw as the Q 
implement further EU sanction unilateralt from Iran 
wQs "not a very concrete one;" however, he noted 4hat Iran is "at 
least prepared to talk."  Bildt said that he did not expect any 
solution ould be negotiated quickly.  In addition to then should address other 
issues 
as well, alluding to the political and human rights situation. 
 
¶5. (SBU) AFGHANISTAN ELECTION:  Following their informal "Gymnich" 
meeting in Sweden September 4-5 (Reftel), the foreign ministers 
continued their discussions and reaffirmed their support for "the 
Gymnich roadmap."  Ministers voiced support for the U.N. Mission and 
for Kai Eide's efforts, and noted that the ongoing election 
verification process will be lengthy and must be handled "in a 
credible way."  At the press conference, Olli Rehn, Commissioner for 
European Enlargement, said that stabilizing the economic and 
political situation in Afghanistan represents an enormous challenge, 
and that the EU urged the international community to be patient in 
order to allow the two election commissions (i.e., the Independent 
Electoral Commission (IEC), and the Electoral Complaints Commission 
(ECC)) to complete their work without external pressure.  Rehn also 
paid tribute to Member of the European Parliament Philippe Morillon, 
who was acting as the head of the EU's Electoral Observation 
Mission. 
 
¶6. (SBU) In response to press queries, Bildt acknowledged that the 
Afghan electoral process was taking a "long time," and that everyone 
knew there would be complexities.  He noted that more polling 
stations were open and running than originally expected, and that 
numerous complaints of fraud and irregularities have been filed. 
Bildt expressed EU support for both commissions' efforts, 
emphasizing that the future of Afghanistan will be determined "by 
the success or failure of a legitimate political process." 
 
BRUSSELS 00001266  002 OF 003 
 
 
 
¶7. (SBU) SOUTHERN CAUCASUS:  Ministers recognized that the EU has 
the most important role to help contribute to the stability of the 
region, and unanimously endorsed a Presidency proposal that the 
Commission prepare mandates for negotiations on Association 
Agreements with Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.  At the press 
conference, in response to a question about the attitude of Russia 
toward the EU's rapprochement with the region, Bildt replied that 
these are sovereign countries which have the right to choose their 
own future, without restrictions imposed "by anyone else."  Asked 
about the timing for the negotiating mandates, Enlargement 
Commissioner Rehn said the Commission would prepare the mandates in 
November.  (Note:  Council Secretariat staff subsequently clarified 
that working out the mandates will take time and that they did not 
expect them to be launched until 2010. End Note) FM Bildt also said 
that ministers welcomed the positive developments in relations 
between Turkey and Armenia. 
 
¶8. (SBU) CROATIA-SLOVENIAN DISPUTE:  In response to press questions 
about recent developments between Croatia and Slovenia, and about 
the timing of resumed accession negotiations with Croatia, Bildt 
said the date would be determined soon.  Both Bildt and Rehn 
welcomed the deal agreed between the two PMs, and were optimistic 
that the new confidence would be reflected in the "domestic 
decisions" to be taken by the two countries (a reference to the role 
of national parliaments in Croatia and Slovenia). 
 
¶9. (U) OLLI REHN's INTEREST IN HIGH REP SOLANA's JOB:  In response 
to a press question, Rehn said it was "premature" to discuss this 
matter, and that it was essential to ensure "the Lisbon ratification 
process is accomplished first."  He then added that he enjoyed 
working in the Commission and hoped to continue in an EU job in the 
future. 
 
GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL 
----------------------- 
¶10. (U) Chaired by Cecilia Malmstrom, Swedish Minister for EU 
Affairs, the General Affairs Council reviewed the draft agenda and 
preparations for the European Council meeting scheduled for October 
29-30, and addressed the work achieved on energy infrastructures and 
interconnections, as well as on crisis mechanisms relating to the 
security of energy supplies.  The agenda of issues to be addressed 
in October by the European Council includes institutional issues (a 
currently empty heading that will cover many of the key political 
issues that would be unblocked by a positive Irish referendum on the 
Lisbon Treaty), climate change, the economic situation, a Baltic Sea 
Strategy, illegal immigration, and external relations, depending on 
recent developments. 
 
¶11. (U) G-20 SUMMIT PREPARATIONS:  The Council was briefed by the 
Swedish Presidency on arrangements for an informal meeting of EU 
heads of state on September 17 in Brussels, in preparation for the 
G-20 Summit meeting September 24-25 in Pittsburgh.  The European 
Council's conclusions on the G-20 Summit can be found at European 
Council Conclusions on G-20 Summit 
(http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Da ta/ 
docs/pressdata/en/ec/110166.pdf). 
 
¶12. (U) BULGARIA AND ROMANIA:  The Council adopted conclusions which 
welcomed the EC's reports of progress made in both Bulgaria and 
Romania under the EC's Cooperation and Verification mechanism, 
noting the "good level" of cooperation by both member state 
governments.  The Council conclusion called on both nations to 
intensify their efforts in the fight against corruption, and to 
demonstrate "tangible and lasting results" (especially in 
establishing impartial, independent judiciary systems with effective 
resources) in order to enable EU policies to function properly. 
 
¶13. (U) UNION FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN - WOMEN IN SOCIETY:  The Council 
approved EU guidelines for a second Union for the Mediterranean 
ministerial meeting on the theme of "Strengthening the Role of Women 
in Society," which will take place in Morocco on November 11-12. 
 
14(U) ENERGY:  The Council tightened up its legislation overseeing 
national oil stock mechanisms by adopting a directive that requires 
member states to maintain minimum stocks of oil or petroleum 
products.  This directive is intended to ensure that there is enough 
available oil in the event of a future crisis.  Member states will 
have to ensure that by December 31, 2012, total oil stocks 
maintained at all times within the EU should correspond at least to 
90 days of average daily net imports, or 61 days of average daily 
inland consumption, whichever is greater. 
 
¶15. (U) EU-INDIA Nuclear Energy Cooperation Agreement:  TheCouncil 
adopted a decision authorizing the Comission to open negotiations 
on a cooperation agreement between the European Atomic Energy 
Community (EURATOM) and India for research and training dealing with 
the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. 
 
BRUSSELS 00001266  003 OF 003 
 
 
 
¶16. (U) ENVIRONMENT (Ship-source Pollution):  The Council adopted a 
directive strengthening EU rules on ship-source pollution aimed at 
improving maritime safety and enhancing protection of the 
environment by making discharges of polluting substances a criminal 
offense "if committed with intent, recklessly or with serious 
negligence."  Member states will have a year to transpose the 
directive into national law. 
 
Murray