US embassy cable - 04MADRID2201

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 002201 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2014 
TAGS: PREL, SP, EUR 
SUBJECT: SPANISH RESPONSE TO JUNE 14-15 EU FMS MEETING 
DEMARCHE 
 
REF: STATE 125932 
 
Classified By: Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Political Counselor, for Reasons 1 
.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (C) We delivered reftel demarche on June 10 to Enrique 
Mora, Director of the MFA's Office of EU Foreign Policy and 
Common Security.  On general questions regarding the EU 
Constitution, Mora said he thought the EU Constitution would 
be approved by June 25.  He said the double majority 
population figure would likely be increased to around 62%, 
not the 66% that Spain had been favoring.  He stated that he 
had not heard of any final choice being made for the 
successor to EC President Prodi. 
 
2. (C) Regarding the Middle East, Mora stated that he did not 
see a joint action plan between the US Broader Middle East 
and EU Barcelona Process efforts as being possible, due to 
funding and scheduling mechanism differences.  He said that 
the best he could foresee would be close cooperation between 
the US and EU programs in the Broader Middle East and North 
Africa to ensure that there was no duplication of efforts, 
but that a joint action plan would not be feasible.  He said 
that there was a better chance of getting a strong joint 
anti-terrorism plan than there was on development, reform and 
democracy issues.  Mora stated that regarding Iraq, funding 
had already been committed for the EU's Medium Term Strategy 
initiative. 
 
3. (C) On Iran, Mora said that Spain viewed the El Baradei 
report on June 1 as showing that, while there were a few 
shortcomings, the overall situation with Iran is "improving". 
 We stressed the USG view that Iran is continuing its 
policies of delay, deception and denial, and that Iran 
continues troubling activity in its enrichment program.  Mora 
stated that the EU views those activities with concern, but 
that there would be no change in policy until the conclusion 
of reports due in September or November.  He acknowledge that 
the human rights situation and status of democracy in Iran 
were deteriorating, but did not offer any comments or changes 
in Spain's or the EU's position. 
 
4. (C) Mora stated that Spain would favor a strong statement 
on Darfur in the UNSC.  He said that the EU had signed an 
agreement with Sudan to allow for observers and humanitarian 
assistance in the area.  He also confirmed that the European 
Neighborhood Policy would be broadened to include the South 
Caucasus. 
MANZANARES