DEMARCHE ON THE GROWING IRAN-VENEZUELA RELATIONSHIP

S E C R E T BUDAPEST 000844

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

EUR/NCE MICHELLE LABONTE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/25/2032
TAGS: PREL MARR PHUM MASS ECON PTER
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON THE GROWING IRAN-VENEZUELA RELATIONSHIP

REF: SECSTATE 61378

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


1. (SBU) Poloff delivered reftel remarks in separate
meetings with MFA Iran Desk Officer Istvan Nyitrai and MFA
Traveling Ambassador for the Andean Region Pal Varga-Koritar.
While remarking that the current state of relations with
Iran and Venezuela is "troubling," Mr. Nyitrai believes the
significance of the relationship is "not sustainable" given
the two countries differing ideologies and lack of mutual
issues. Ambassador Varga-Koritar agreed that the situation
is troubling and noted that Hungary is actively engaged in
this issue with other EU member states. He noted that
"Hungary's footprint in Venezuela is minimal" has the GoH has
closed its embassy for budgetary reasons. Likewise trade and
other bi-lateral relations with the GoV is "tiny." That
said, Varga-Koritar believes that it is important to "discuss
these issues openly" and plans to raise Iran-Venezuela
relations "as appropriate" when he is in the region. He sees
continued U.S.-EU engagement as the most promising path for
this issue in the near term.
LARSON