HUNGARIAN COMMENTS ON UPCOMING SEPTEMBER 5-6

UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000879 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CE JAMIE LAMORE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM HU EUN GG SUBJECT: HUNGARIAN COMMENTS ON UPCOMING SEPTEMBER 5-6 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING (GYMNICH) REF: A. STATE 93272 ¶B. STATE 93264 ¶1. (SBU) MFA EU External Relations Section Chief Andras Dekany discussed reftels with PolOff on September 4 and provided the following comments on GYMNICH agenda items: ¶2. (SBU) Georgia: - Hungary supports an ESDP mission to Georgia and expects a decision at the September 15 GAERC. The mission should have a "straight-forward" mandate, working in cooperation with the OSCE and UN missions. The ESDP mission engagement should extend to the entire territory of Georgia over time. With a deployment, the EU should articulate to the Government of Georgia that they should not use the current crisis as a pretext to delay reforms and democratic transition efforts. The EU should also consider a deployment to the Transdinister/Nagorno-Karabakh region in the future. (Comment. In conversation with MFA Security and Non-Proliferation Department Head Vilmos Hamikus, he told PolOff on September 4 that the GYMNICH will focus more on the broader "way forward" concerning the EU/Russian relationship rather the crisis in Georgia. End comment.) - Expect discussion on a proposed Polish-Swedish Eastern initiative - a response to the Euro-Mediterranean plan - with an effort to accelerate a decision by the EU at the December Council meeting. ¶3. (SBU) Middle East Peace Process: - Not a major agenda item. Important to support the Annapolis process - rule of law, security assistance and efforts to bolster Palestinian economy. A planned French proposal is delayed as a result of the Georgia crisis. ¶4. (SBU) EU Security Policy: - Solana will provide a briefing on the program. Hungary presented its notional position along with several other countries. The EU has to determine whether to re-write or "tinker on the margins." Hungary does not support a re-write, as many of the elements remain valid, rather it should be strengthened based on lessons learned from implementation of the strategy, especially in light of the Georgian conflict. The document should also stress the importance of the EU in the western Balkans and eastern Europe, as well as the Caucuses and western Asia because of energy supply issues. - The on-going EU review process should ensure the document has synergy with NATO's own review of its Strategic Concept - with a goal to have the EU review results presented at the December EU Council meeting. "We want to give a positive message to Ukraine at the December meeting." ¶5. (SBU) Trans-Atlantic Relationship: - We prod our EU partners to pursue consultations with the U.S., "especially at this strategic time." We are looking for a growing synergy and believe that continuous, senior-level meetings, in particular at the U.S./EU directors level is important. We need to focus on areas where we can agree to ensure the message is consistent, even if the timing may vary. ¶6. (SBU) Serbia: - The Foreign Minister visited Belgrade this week. The Serbian Government sought support for their request for an ICJ advisory position. The FM responded that Hungary is working with the EU members in NY to produce a common position on this issue. (Septel) ¶7. (U) EULEX: - Does not anticipate any discussion. ¶8. (SBU) Afghanistan/Pakistan: - Important for EU/NATO cooperative support. Hungary supports an increase in the size of the Afghan National Army. Hungary also supports the EUPOL mission, but should reassess our experience up to now in regard to future police training efforts. Foley