HOMECOMING KING: PRESIDENT SARKOZY'S VISIT TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 001534

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/NCE; PLEASE PASS TO NSC FOR ADAM STERLING

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2012
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM
SUBJECT: HOMECOMING KING: PRESIDENT SARKOZY'S VISIT TO
HUNGARY


Classified By: P/E COUNSELOR ERIC V. GAUDIOSI; REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (SBU) French President Sarkozy completed a brief but
high-profile visit to Hungary September 14, including
meetings with President Solyom, Prime Minister Gyurcsany, and
opposition leader Orban as well as an address to the
Hungarian Parliament. His meetings and public statements
were highlighted by calls for a more active Hungarian
engagement in regional affairs and EU issues.

"EUROPE NEEDS HUNGARY"


2. (SBU) Following his meeting with President Solyom,
Sarkozy stated that "Europe needs Hungary," commenting that
France sees "neither large nor small states but equal member
states." He noted the sense of connection between Hungary
and ethnic Hungarian communities abroad (an issue of
particular interest to Solyom, who recently returned from
meetings with ethnic Hungarian leaders in the Vojvodina),but
emphasized France's "more reserved stance" on regional
autonomy.


3. (SBU) In his address to Parliament, Sarkozy noted the
Nabucco conference being held the same day in Budapest,
emphasizing the importance of a European approach and
underscoring France's support for nuclear power. He
encouraged Hungary to "take its place in the security and
defense policy of Europe," describing NATO and a European
defense capability as "two systems complementing each other."


A GOOD START WITH GYURCSANY


4. (C) Coming directly from Prime Minister Gyurcsany's
meeting with Sarkozy, Foreign and Security Policy Advisor
Karoly Banai told us September 14 that conversation had
revolved around a "Franco-Hungarian strategic partnership."


5. (C) Banai predicted that "Sarkozy will change a great
deal in Europe," and indicated that he will look to
Budapest's support on initiatives including reform of the
EU's agricultural subsidies. The GoH will follow up on
Sarkozy's invitation to develop joint proposals on certain
issues, and Banai expects that future meetings with Gyurcsany
are likely both in bilateral and multilateral fora.


6. (C) On Kosovo, Banai reported strong consensus on moving
forward on status under a broad NATO-EU consensus. Both
parties had agreed that a UNSCR would be ideal but recognized
that it is "impossible due to the Russian bear."

A SHORT MEETING WITH ORBAN


7. (SBU) Sarkozy's meeting with FIDESZ President Viktor
Orban is still the subject of speculation. Photos show an
obviously uncomfortable Orban and a seemingly dismissive
Sarkozy. Although in subsequent remarks Orban praised
Sarkozy for "removing neoliberal economic taboos" and
accepted his invitation to attend an upcoming political event
in France, no one has yet explained why Sarkozy terminated
their meeting after only ten minutes.

ANOTHER KIND OF HOMECOMING


8. (C) Comment: The visit was not the sentimental
"homecoming" some Hungarians might have hoped for from a
foreign leader they still regard in part as a native son, but
it was what the Gyurcsany government needed: a visible sign
of the PM's reentry into the orbit of European leaders and an
opportunity for Budapest to align itself on key issues with a
major European power. Particularly with the week ahead
marked by anniversaries of Gyurscany's infamous "lies" speech
and the ensuing demonstrations, the government doubtless
welcomed a visit that looked good and may lead to more
substantive successes in the future. End Comment.
FOLEY