HUNGARIAN COMMENTS IN ADVANCE OF NOVEMBER'S EU

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 001855 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/ERA AND EUR/NCE MARC NORDBERG E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV HU SUBJECT: HUNGARIAN COMMENTS IN ADVANCE OF NOVEMBER'S EU FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING (GAERC) REF: SECSTATE 156474 Classified By: P/E Officer John McGuire; Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Andras Dekany, Head of MFA's EU Relations and Crisis Situations Section, provided Embassy the GoH views on several reftel agenda items for the upcoming EU Foreign Ministers' meeting November 19-20. Beginning with the Chinese arms embargo issue, Dekany believes this will not be an agenda item. Asked as to Hungary's views on the issue, he noted that Hungary supports lifting the embargo, but at the same time, would work for consensus within the EU. Related to the upcoming EU-Africa summit and the invitation to Zimbabwe's President Mugabe, Dekany commented that the President is on the EU visa ban list. Noting that only one member State would have to oppose the invitation, Dekany said this is an issue that the Permanent Representatives should resolve. Highlighting the "diplomatic dancing" taking place, Dekany said Hungary supports the Portuguese President's efforts for a successful summit. ¶2. (C) On Kosovo, the GoH believes the issue should be discussed in the UN Security Council after the December 10 deadline. Emphasizing previous comments on Kosovo, Dekany stated Hungary will look for EU and NATO consensus on Kosovo's independence. Dekany stated that for the EU mission to play a meaningful role in the region there must be a "legal and financial basis" for EU activities post December ¶10. He stressed the importance of providing Serbia incentives, such as potential EU candidate status and visa facilitation. Concerning Bosnia, Dekany emphasized Hungary's strong support for High Representative Lajcak as well as the importance of maintaining the Bonn powers. ¶3. (C) On Iran, having an opportunity to only briefly review the most recent IAEA report, Dekany commented "the situation doesn't change much, this is not a good sign, and we are not that optimistic." He stressed "it is most important that the partners remain together on the issue, maintaining support for the P3 group and trans-Atlantic partnership." Dekany noted Hungary believes that economic sanctions also provide a dynamic vehicle to help maintain consensus. ¶4. (C) Dekany went on to mention that this morning, November 16, the MFA received a "draft action plan" on the Middle East. Currently analyzing the draft to prepare the Foreign Minister for next week's GAERC, Dekany commented it doesn't add much. He stated Hungary supports the planned Annapolis summit, but looks to a detailed post-summit process that EU can support. FOLEY