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