CZECH COMMENTS IN ADVANCE OF EU FOREIGN MINISTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 001027 SIPDIS SIPDIS EUR/NCE, EUR/ERA, EUR/WE, EUR/RUS, EUR/SCE E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2008 TAGS: CH EUN EZ IN PGOV PREL RS SUBJECT: CZECH COMMENTS IN ADVANCE OF EU FOREIGN MINISTER MEETING (GYMNICH) REF: A. SECSTATE 123576 ¶B. PRAGUE 929 Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Mike Dodman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) In a meeting with Pol-Econ Counselor Sept 5 to discuss the upcoming Gymnich meeting, Vaclav Balek, Director of the Czech MFA's Common Foreign Security Policy Department offered the following assessment of Czech views and goals for the meeting: Russia and the Portuguese EU Presidency -------------- ¶2. (C) Balek noted that Portugal added Russia as a topic for the Gymnich since the EU-Russia Summit is in the pipeline for this fall. While commenting that it is still very early in the Portuguese EU Presidency, Balek lamented that Portugal appears to be "avoiding difficult debates." He cited Portugal's handling of Russia as an example and noted that although Russia is on the agenda, the "critical and difficult issues are not there." The Czech government, however, will not take the same approach since they plan to raise the issue of "Russian behavior" and Russia's heavy handed attempts to try to influence decisions in former Soviet satellite states on issues such as CFE or even Missile Defense. At the Gymnich the Czechs will encourage the other EU member states to not buy into Russian rhetoric. Kosovo -------------- ¶3. (SBU) According to Balek, the Austrians will provide a brief on the August 30 Troika meeting in Vienna. He noted that the Kosovo issue will only be discussed informally, and that we "should not anticipate any headlines" on this topic. More broadly, he noted that Russia's numerous public comments on the matter have not been helpful and have made it "tricky" to maintain a common position within the EU. In response to POLEC Counselor's query on what happens if there is no agreement by December and Kosovo declares independence, Balek stated that some EU states (the Czech Republic included) are ready and willing to recognize Kosovo. There will not be a common EU position recognizing Kosovo, he opined, since some EU member states (he cited Cyprus),have made it clear that they will not recognize an independent Kosovo. (Note: Balek's views track with those of his colleagues covering Balkan issues, ref B.) Advancing EU Structural Reforms Rather than EU Accession -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Based on Portuguese interest in advancing the items covered at the June Council, the Gymnich will kick off with a brief from the legal services office of the EU Council Secretariat in the IGC. Balek does not expect a formal SIPDIS debate by the Foreign Ministers, simply this brief, although Balek does anticipate the Portuguese will press for a high-level discussion of the matter in the very near future. When asked about any activity related to EU accession members, Balek commented that accession negotiations are not up for discussion at this Gymnich. Currently France, and other member states (such as The Netherlands and Belgium), are just not interested in addressing this issue, Balek stated. Burma and Mugabe Added, But Not Missile Defense -------------- -- ¶5. (C) Balek highlighted that the Czechs and Brits added Burma to the agenda; this will be part of FM Schwarzenberg's intervention. In addition, the UK will press that Zimbabwe President Mugabe be excluded from the upcoming EU-Africa Summit this fall; the Czechs will support the UK on this. While wrapping up the meeting, Balek noted that the Czechs do not expect there to be any discussion on missile defense; this is not the appropriate forum. If raised by another member state, however, Foreign Minister Schwarzenberg will be prepared to respond with the latest details. GRABER