HUNGARIAN COMMENTS ON APRIL 28-29 FOREIGN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000429 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/NCE MARC NORDBERG E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/24/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV HU SUBJECT: HUNGARIAN COMMENTS ON APRIL 28-29 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING (GAERC) REF: A. SECSTATE 43742 ¶B. BUDAPEST 412 Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Eric Gaudiosi, reasons 1.4 (b and d) (C) The MFA European Foreign and Security Department Head Zsolt Pataki discussed several reftel agenda items with PolOff on April 25. Highlighting Hungarian agreement with the U.S. view on the majority of items, Pataki's specific comments follow: - Serbia: We agree with the United States but support is lacking to offer a Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) at the upcoming GAERC. In particular, both the Netherlands and Belgium strongly oppose the initiative based on Serbia's non-compliance with the ICTY. While Hungary believes Serbia should do more, Hungary also believes the EU should offer the SAA as it would provide more leverage on Serbia, with SAA ratification only occurring after Serbia complies with the ICTY requirements. - Bosnia: We believe that the SAA should be signed ASAP now that Bosnia has adopted police reform. However, there are some technical issues associated with the translation into multiple languages and the final text is not yet ready, therefore we anticipate a decision on the SAA at the May GAERC. - Georgia: See reftel B. - Iran: There are the usual front-line opponents of further sanctions, in particular reluctant Italy and Austria. In November 2007, Hungary accepted, and has no problem with, the "autonomous measures" proposed by England and France. - Burma: Most likely will not be a debate item at the April GAERC. Still much discussion as to how to proceed as there is concern as to the impact trade sanctions would have on the "average Burmese citizen." For Hungary, sanctions are not a significant issue, as trade with Burma was well under 50,000 USD last year. France and the United Kingdom appear to have the lead on this issue. - Zimbabwe: Agree in principle with the United States position. However, there is concern as to the impact that trade sanctions would have on the average citizen. . LEVINE