Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BUDAPEST429
2008-04-28 09:31:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Budapest
Cable title:
HUNGARIAN COMMENTS ON APRIL 28-29 FOREIGN
how-toVZCZCXRO9533 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHUP #0429 1190931 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 280931Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2860 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
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
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