HUNGARY'S RESPONSE TO GAERC FEBRUARY 12-13 FOREIGN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000186

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

EUR/NCE MICHELLE LABONTE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2022
TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD
SUBJECT: HUNGARY'S RESPONSE TO GAERC FEBRUARY 12-13 FOREIGN
MINISTERS MEETING

REF: A) SECSTATE 13840 B) BUDAPEST 175 C) BUDAPEST 174

Classified By: POL/C Eric V. Gaudiosi. Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: MFA Foreign and Security Policy Department
Deputy Andras Dekany told poloff on 9 February that FM Goncz
will primarily discuss Kosovo status at the February 12-13
GAERC meeting. The FM will also brief the other GAERC FMs re
her recent travel to the Middle East. Though not likely to
speak on the topic, Dekany relayed the FM's prepared point on
Iran calling for a unified EU position. End Summary.


2. (C) On 8 February Prime Minister Gyurcsany forwarded a
letter to German Chancellor Merkel, EC President Barroso and
High Commissioner Solana expressing Hungary's position on
Kosovo (full text forwarded to EUR/NCE and EUR/SCE). The
letter calls for a parallel approach to Kosovo and Serbia and
serves as "Hungary's policy" on the issues, according to
Dekany. Gyurcsany expresses support for the Ahtisaari plan,
suggesting that both parties concerned be given the
possibility of expressing their views "within a reasonable
timeframe." (Comment: Dekany did not specify how the GoH
would interpret a "reasonable timeframe," but we note FM
Goncz's ref b suggestion to Ambassador Foley that the Serbian
Parliament be allowed to reconvene before further steps are
taken. End Comment.) He underscored the vital importance of
a Security Council Resolution to formalize status
arrangements, and highlights the importance of "upholding the
rights of communities" by establishing a "forward-looking
system to ensure the rights" of minorities in Kosovo as a key
element in any settlement. The PM also calls to "reconfirm
Serbia's European perspectives" by resuming talks on the
Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) upon formation
of a new Serbian government, noting that ICTY compliance
remains a precursor for the "entry into force of the (SAA)
agreement." Hungary also supports a timetable for
"liberalizing the visa regime" which it considers critical to
modernization and economic growth in the region.


3. (C) Further to ref c discussion of Iran with FM Goncz,
Dekany affirmed that the GOH "fully supports" the EU
President's proposed two-stage process. Though prompted to
elaborate on a number of economic related actions including
freezing assets, halting export credits and revoking bank
licenses, Dekany would not elaborate beyond saying that
Hungary seeks "to preserve unity in the EU" by supporting the
consensus opinion of the other members. He added that he
expects the debate to focus on the framework laid out under
the current UNSC sanctions.


4. (C) FM Goncze will brief her counterparts regarding her
recent travel to the Middle East. Dekany did not relate any
substantive positions regarding the GAERC agenda items,
noting that Hungary is interested in "hearing the consensus"
of the GAERC foreign ministers.
FOLEY