CZECHS ON MARCH 20 GAERC

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