BULGARIA'S IN GENERAL AGREEMENT ON THE GAERC'S

C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 001316

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIA'S IN GENERAL AGREEMENT ON THE GAERC'S
AGENDA

REF: A. STATE 151189

B. STATE 150777

C. SOFIA 1301

Classified By: A/DCM BRAD FREDEN FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) & (D)


1. (C) Summary: Bulgaria has long supported including the
Western Balkans into EU and NATO. On Congo and Sudan, the
GOB supports international involvement but will not be able
to contribute because of its commitments in Afghanistan and
Iraq. Bulgaria hopes GAERC will produce a common EU position
on the UNIFIL mandate and EU energy security. Iran is best
dealt with through concerted international pressure to end
the nuclear program. End Summary.


2. (U) Ognyan Champoev, MFA's Head of Coordination and
Planning Sector (S/P equivalent) responded to reftel points
on September 14.


3. (C) Western Balkans: Champoev said that Bulgaria has
long supported democratization of the region and its eventual
entry into the EU and NATO. The fact that Bulgaria hosted
the Kosovo Contact Group shows its commitment to completing
the status process, he said. On Bosnia and Serbia, he agreed
that in order to move forward both countries have to fulfill
their international obligations and retain territorial
integrity. Not surprisingly, Champoev was more guarded in
his responses than was FM Kalfin in his Sept. 12 meeting with
EUR DAS Rosemary DiCarlo (ref. C).


4. (C) Sudan/Congo: While Bulgaria fully supports
international involvement in both countries, Champoev doubted
it would be able to contribute troops or finances. He cited
GOB's involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq and its commitment
to send troops to Lebannon to show that the country's limited
resources were already stretched thin. He hoped GAERC will
produce a common EU position on the issue, with the wealthier
EU nations taking the lead.


5. (C) Lebanon: Champoev agreed with our points on UNSCR
1701, saying that it is especially important to stop arms
traffic through the Syrian border. Bulgaria is not expecting
a quick resolution -- "the Middle East is a complicated
region that requires a complex approach." Bulgaria looks for
a common EU position on the mandate and strategy of the
UNIFIL peace-keeping force.


6. (C) Iraq: Foreign Minister Ivailo Kalfin plans to
attend the UNGA Compact Briefing on September 18. The GOB is
working on establishing high-level exchanges with Iraq,
though the security situation in Baghdad remains a concern.
Separately, the Director of the Middle East department told
us that Bulgaria is moving ahead with plans to reopen its
embassy.


7. (C) Ukraine: According to Champoev, the GOB sees
encouraging signs in Ukraine's democratization process.
Bulgaria shares Ukraine's energy security woes, he said, and
has been promoting the idea of developing a common EU policy
on energy security and diversification. To GOB's
disappointment, the larger EU states want to keep energy
purely a national policy.


8. (C) Iran: Champoev expected a unified statement from the
EU Ministers condemning Iran's nuclear ambitions and said
Bulgaria fully supports a concerted effort from the
international community to pressure Iran into compliance.
KARAGIANNIS