CZECHS ON NOV 21 GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PRAGUE 001623

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2015
TAGS: PREL EZ EUN
SUBJECT: CZECHS ON NOV 21 GAERC

REF: STATE 208899

Classified By: Poloff Sarah C. Peck for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary. The primary focus of the Nov 21 GAERC will be
the EU budget. The Czechs support the Luxembourg Compromise,
but pragmatically believe no compromise will be reached in
the upcoming GAERC (or even this year). The Czechs generally
support EU efforts in the Middle East, the Balkans, and in
Belarus. The Czechs do not plan to discuss Cuba at the
upcoming GAERC or in December. End summary.


2. (SBU) Poloff met on Nov. 2 with Miroslav Kolatek, Deputy
Director of the Czech MFA's CFSP Department, to discuss the
Nov. 21 GAERC. As summarized below, the discussion touched on
the EU budget (the primary focus of the upcoming GAERC),the
Middle East, Belarus, Ukraine, the Balkans, and Cuba.

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EU Budget & Agricultural Subsidies
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3. (C) Kolatek predicted that the EU budget will be the
primary focus of the Nov 21 GAERC. The Czechs hope a
compromise can be reached, but are pessimistic. They support
the proposal of the Luxembourg presidency (the "Luxembourg
Compromise") along with 19 other countries, and have agreed
to coordinate with the Visegrad Four to advocate for a
compromise. However, the Czechs believe there will be no
breakthrough until the five largest EU countries accept their
responsibility to compromise. The Czechs do not have a
separate position on EU agricultural subsidies and tariffs
outside of the budget dispute, although they generally
support a liberal trade policy.

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The Middle East
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4. (C) On Iraq, Kolatek said the Czechs welcome EU efforts to
help stabilize Iraq, both in connection with the upcoming
election, and with enhancing public security and rule of law
overall. The Czechs do not currently have plans to increase
their level of commitment in Iraq. However, when and if
security conditions improve, the Czechs plan to move their
capacity building training programs from other countries to
Iraq itself. Additionally, according to Kolatek, the Czechs
have not been asked to provide election monitors for the
Iraqi election, but would seriously entertain such a request
if made by the OSCE, the UN, or the EU. And on the subject of
debt relief, Kolatek thought the Czechs would support an EU
initiative to forgive a portion of Iraqi debt.


5. (C) On the Rafah crossing, the Czechs agree with EU
involvement in principle, but want further discussions with
EU partners on security issues and the role the EU will play
(e.g., will the EU provide customs agents or troops at the
border, or only indirect support?)

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Belarus & Ukraine
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6. (C) Turning to Belarus, Kolatek said the EU has agreed to
establish meaningful contacts with Belarus opposition leader,
Aleksandr Milinkievich. The Czechs are involved in shaping
the strategy of how and when the EU can reach out to
Milinkievich, and how the EU can minimize the expected
backlash from Lukashenko. Other countries involved in the
discussion on Belarusan dissidents include Poland, Lithuania,
Finland and Germany.


7. (C) On Ukraine,s economy, Kolatek said the EU is hopeful
that Ukraine will qualify for market economy status soon.

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The Balkans
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8. (C) The Balkans are a primary focus for Czech foreign
policy. The Czechs welcomed the formal decision to launch SAA
negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and support ongoing
efforts by the EU to promote stability in the region. Czech
PM Jiri Paroubek has just returned from a visit to the
region, where he announced that the Czechs will offer
institution-building assistance (as yet to be defined) to
Bosnia, Serbia, and Montenegro.


9. (C) On Kosovo, Kolatek said PM Paroubek recently initiated
internal discussions on the issue of Kosovo,s future.
Kolatek said the Czechs agree that compromise on both sides
will be essential, but difficult, and therefore resolution of
Kosovo,s future will take time.

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Cuba
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10. (C) Kolatek said the EU is considering a formal EU
demarche on Havana following the Czech National Day incident.
The details are being worked out at the working group level.
The Czechs do not have any proposals on Cuba for the upcoming
GAERC meeting or for the agenda of the December Council
meeting.
CABANISS