CZECHS ON THE DECEMBER 11-12 GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 001491

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

EUR/NCE FOR ERIC FICHTE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM UNAUS EUN YI SR BK IS LE IR
TU, AF, KPAL, CH, EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS ON THE DECEMBER 11-12 GAERC

REF: A. STATE 195044

B. STATE 194456

Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Mike Dodman
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary. At the December 11-12 GAERC, the Czechs
expect the focus to be on the Balkans, the Middle East,
Afghanistan, China, and Turkey. Czech policy continues to
closely track U.S. policy in these regions/countries. At the
upcoming GAERC, the Czechs will support (1) ICTY compliance
and the EU perspective for Serbia (FM Vondra will call for
the EU to send "positive signals" to Serbia in the run-up to
the January elections),(2) a National Unity government in
Palestine that embraces Quartet principles, (3) the proposed
ESDP mission in Afghanistan, (4) the China Arms Embargo, and
(5) a moderate approach to Turkish accession negotiations
(the Czechs responded positively to Turkey,s recent offer to
open one Turkish port to Cyprus). End summary.


2. (SBU) Poloff met December 7 with Czech MFA Director of the
CFSP Vaclav Balek to discuss the December 11-12 GAERC and
deliver refs A and B talking points.

--------------
Balkans
--------------


3. (C) The Czech position on the Balkans remains unchanged.
The Czechs plan to focus on Serbia at the upcoming GAERC.
They will continue to call for full ICTY compliance, while
encouraging Serbia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations. FM Vondra
plans to speak on the importance of EU sending positive
signals to Serbia, especially before the January elections to
counter the influence of the nationalists.

--------------
Middle East
--------------


4. (C) On Israel-Palestine, the Czechs continue to urge a
unity government that will accept the Quartet principles.
They also support (with both "cautious optimism" and
"skepticism") the Spanish/French initiative. It offers a
renewed chance for dialogue and momentum. However, to be
successful it must be "realistic" and coordinated with the
international community.


5. (C) On Lebanon, the Czech parliament approved a mandate
for up to 10 Czech troops for UNIFIL. Balek said that this
amount is largely symbolic, due to funding restraints.


6. (C) The Czechs continue to support sanctions for Iran.

--------------
Afghanistan
--------------


7. (C) The ministers will discuss the launch of an ESDP
mission in Afghanistan. The Czechs strongly support this
initiative. They believe the combined "concentrated" efforts
of the EU, NATO, the UN, and the United States will help
stabilize the country.

--------------
Turkey
--------------


8. (C) The Czechs support Turkish accession to the EU, and
generally agree with U.S. positions on the talks. Balek said
the Czechs are encouraged by Turkey's recent offer to open
one port to trade with Cyprus. They are not in the camp
calling for a deadline for Turkey to implement the customs
union protocol.

--------------
China
--------------


9. (C) The Czechs continue to support the EU China Arms
Embargo. They also support improvements to the existing Code
of Conduct governing arms licensing. However, the Czechs do
not believe that having a better Code of Conduct warrants
giving up the Embargo, which Balek described as an important
"political tool."
GRABER