C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PRAGUE 000285

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NCE, EUR/ERA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2016
TAGS: PREL ECON ETRD EUN YI MW SR BK BO IR IZ SU
EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS ON MARCH 20 GAERC

REF: STATE 39905

Classified By: Acting DCM Michael Dodman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary. The Czechs predict that the Balkans,
Palestine, and Belarus will be the top priorities at the
March 20 GAERC. On the Balkans, progress is being made, but
some EU member states may be losing their appetite for
admitting the Balkan states to the EU in the foreseeable
future. On Palestine, member states are undecided on the
issue of cutting off all aid to the Hamas-led government if
it fails to renounce violence and recognize Israel. On
Belarus, the question of sanctions after the election --
which the Czechs predict will be fraudulent -- will be
discussed at the GAERC. End summary.


2. (SBU) Poloff met March 15 with Petr Kaiser, Director of
the Czech MFA's Common Foreign and Security Policy
Department, to deliver reftel talking points and to discuss
the March 20 GAERC. The discussion focused on the Middle
East, the Balkans, and Belarus. Kaiser said Czech policy
remained consistent on these issues.

Middle East
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3. (C) On Iran, the Czechs continue to strongly support the
U.S. position. They would also like to see the IAEA
strengthened in the future.


4. (C) Turning to Palestine, Kaiser said the issue of
financial assistance to the Hamas government was discussed at
the Gymnich meeting in Salzburg, and may be discussed further
at the GAERC. Kaiser confided that EU foreign ministers were
divided on the issue of cutting off financial assistance when
they discussed the issue at the Gymnich meeting.


5. (C) Kaiser thought Iraq would not be high on the agenda
and had nothing to add to previous statements.

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


6. (C) The Western Balkans were also discussed at the Gymnich
meeting. Kaiser said the Czechs were disappointed because the
formalistic format of the meeting prevented meaningful
discourse on issues of concern. He did say many EU states
have lost their appetite for further EU expansion. Accession
of any Balkan state may be ten years away or more.


7. (C) On visas for residents of Balkan states wishing to
visit the EU, a controversy has arisen concerning the merit
of a single EU-wide visa fee. Many EU states agree with the
flat fee because it would cover the high cost of biometric
visas. But some EU states, including the Czechs, fear that a
single fee -- which would be high by Balkan standards --
would discourage the visitors who would benefit most from the
experience of visiting a democratic country. The Czechs
therefore call for flexibility in setting the amount of the
EU visa fee.


8. (C) Kaiser called Kosovo a "test case" that would affect
the future of CFSP. The Czechs see Kosovo as primarily an UN
and NATO mission, but think the EU should assume
responsibility for imposing standards on human rights,
preservation of cultural heritage, etc. However, there are
questions about financing. CFSP does not have the budget for
a mission of this magnitude. This issue could demonstrate
whether CFSP policies will be backed by resources in the
future.


9. (C) On Montenegro, the Czechs think the referendum process
has been a success. With respect to the "grey zone," however,
the Czechs agree there is no "wiggle room." A vote of 54.99%
is not enough to attain independence.

Belarus
--------------


10. (C) Kaiser was certain the outcome of the election in
Belarus will be discussed at the GAERC. The EU member states
generally agree the EU should react quickly if the election
is determined to be fraudulent. They will discuss the
possibility of sanctions.

Doha

PRAGUE 00000285 002 OF 002


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11. (C) Kaiser said the Czechs do not favor the current
"rigid, obsolete" agricultural system, but provided no
specifics about the Doha round.
CABANISS