LETTER FROM PM GYURCSANY TO PRESIDENT BUSH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BUDAPEST 001186

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/FO JGARBER AND MBRYZA, EUR/CE, EUR/ERA,
EEB/FO, PLEASE PASS TO NSC ASTERLING

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/12/2018
TAGS: ENRG ECON EPET PGOV HU
SUBJECT: LETTER FROM PM GYURCSANY TO PRESIDENT BUSH

REF: WHITE HOUSE 0617

Classified By: P/E Counselor Eric Gaudiosi, reasons 1.4 (b, d)


1. (C) Following is the text of a letter dated December 10,
2008 from Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany in response to a
letter from President Bush.


2. (U) Begin Text

Dear Mr. President,

Allow me to confirm that I fully agree with the statements
you have made in your recent letter regarding European energy
security. Energy policy is gaining increasing importance,
thus, enchanced understanding and close cooperation between
the European Union and its Member States and the United
States are both essential. I am pleased to learn that,
during the past few months, dialogue regarding energy policy
and strengthening energy security across Europe has become
more intensified.

As a member of the European family, and as a dedicated
Central European state with significant dependence on energy
supplies, the Republic of Hungary has always been active in
the field of energy policy. We are especially interested in
projects that promote diversification and help reduce
dependence. Thus, we have already launched several
initiatives connected to better facilitate the transit of
Caspian supplies to Europe.

Over the past months, I myself have established an
exceptionally good personal and business relationship with
Azeri President Aliyev whom I met four times this year. I
have also conducted successful and very informative talks
with the Turkmen leadership. During my recent talks in
Ankara I repeatedly emphasized to my Turkish counterpart the
importance of the early signature of an Intergovernmental
Agreement on the Nabucco project. The significance of the
Nabucco project, supported by EU member states, among them
Hungary, has been underlined by the appointment of a special
Nabucco Ambassador who is actively travelling throughout
Europe, in the United States and in the Caspian region in
order to keep all parties continuously posted.

Another Hungarian initiative, the New European Transmission
System (NETS),if realized in its final form, would comply
with EU unbundling rules, and would enable non-discriminatory
third party access to gas networks throughout the Central and
Southern European region. It would catalyze long needed
regional infrastructure development and at the same time
contribute to EU's energy liberalization and supply security
goals, including fuelling capacity demand and infrastructure
development for the Nabucco pipeline.

In addition, in line with our firm commitment to the Nabucco
project, we have started the preparation of a Nabucco Summit
due 26-27 January 2009 in Budapest. The conference, which
will gather all parties concerned, is designed to give
further impetus to the collective thinking and action
concerning European energy security. We see promising signs
of high level participation from most of our European and
Central Asian partners. We are expecting to welcome a high
level US representative as well who will be granted a key
role in the implementation of a successful summit.

Dear Mr. President,

It is my strong belief that the enhanced dialogue between
Europe and the United States concerning energy security is a
promising process of working together towards a less
vulnerable global energy situation. Being particulary
efficient, the Hungarian-American energy dialogue can serve
as a good model for other European partners as well.

The efforts your Administration has been making and your
considerable personal engagement in the energy issue as well
as in further shaping our bilateral relations strengthen my
conviction that as Allies we pursue a very close and
profitable cooperation.

Yours sincerely,

Gyurcsany Ferenc

BUDAPEST 00001186 002 OF 002



End Text.


3. (U) Post will forward signed original to the desk.
Foley