POLISH VIEWS ON NOVEMBER 3 GYMNICH AND NOVEMBER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 WARSAW 001285 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/CE, EUR/ERA, AND EUR/SCE E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/05/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM EUN GA RS BK AF SY IZ PL SUBJECT: POLISH VIEWS ON NOVEMBER 3 GYMNICH AND NOVEMBER 10-11 GAERC REF: A. STATE 115017 ¶B. STATE 113894 Classified By: A/DCM DAN SAINZ FOR REASONS 1.4 (D) AND (D) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: According to MFA European Correspondent Cyryl Kozaczewski, Poland will oppose the unconditional resumption of negotiations on a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with Russia, but will take a "careful" approach at the November 10-11 EU Foreign Ministers Meeting (GAERC). Because talks on the PCA were only suspended and the Commission had previously been given a mandate to negotiate, it is not clear a member state consensus is needed in order to resume talks. Poland is deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and agrees that a coordinated U.S.-EU strategy is needed to address unresolved issues. Poland will insist on seeing a detailed proposal before making a commitment on any plans for EU engagement in the Congo. Poland will also press for increased EU engagement in Iraq and call for a larger EU police training presence in Afghanistan. At the November 3 Gymnich meeting, ministers reached general agreement on priorities outlined in a French non-paper on the transatlantic relationship, but several questioned the Presidency's assessment that there had been "positive changes" in Russia. END SUMMARY. GYMNICH ¶2. (C) Poloff delivered ref A (GAERC/Gymnich) and ref B (Bosnia) points October 27 to MFA European Correspondent Cyryl Kozaczewski. In a follow-up meeting November 6, Kozaczewski reported on the outcomes of the November 3 Gymnich. While there was general agreement on the four priority areas outlined in the French non-paper on the transatlantic relationship -- Russia, Afghanistan/Pakistan, Middle East, and strengthening multilateral institutions -- several ministers questioned the French Presidency's assessment that there had been "positive changes" in Russia. Ministers asked the Presidency to prepare a revised text that would offer a "more nuanced" assessment. ¶3. (C) According to Kozaczewski, Ministers agreed that climate change should be emphasized under the topic of multilateral institutions in the non-paper. Some ministers argued that the non-paper should propose that Syria be given a more prominent role in MEPP. Kozaczewski's understanding is that the final product will be presented to the new U.S. administration as a proposal for a joint U.S.-EU text -- i.e. a "common platform" that would serve as the basis for future exchanges between the U.S. and the EU. The French Presidency plans to propose a high-level U.S.-EU meeting in late January. Kozaczewski said it was not clear whether the proposed meeting would be a summit for heads of state or a ministerial meeting. RUSSIA ¶4. (C) Kozaczewski said Poland will oppose the unconditional resumption of negotiations on a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with Russia, but will have to take a "careful" approach at the GAERC. He noted that the issue is particularly tricky because the European Commission had previously been given a mandate to negotiate a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA). Because talks on the PCA were only suspended, Kozaczewski said, EU ministers differ on whether a consensus is needed in order to resume talks. ¶5. (C) Given some member states' strong support for resuming negotiations, he said, Poland will have to look for "opportunities to compromise." He reiterated that a "veto" would not be an option if a consensus decision is not required; "besides, we can only say 'no' so many times." Poland plans to consult with like-minded countries in advance of the GAERC. Options under consideration include proposing a roadmap or a list of conditions that Russia will have to fulfill -- e.g., withdrawal to pre-August 7 positions in Georgia -- before negotiations can resume. BOSNIA WARSAW 00001285 002 OF 002 ¶6. (C) Poland is deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kozaczewski said. He noted that MFA Political Director Witold Sobkow had just returned from Bosnia and will accompany FM Sikorski to the GAERC. Poland has taken a low profile in talks with Bosnian officials and had hoped that Bosnia's preparations for its 2010 UNSC membership would help to strengthen government institutions and to promote cooperation. Kozaczewski said Poland agrees that a coordinated U.S.-EU strategy is needed to address unresolved issues and to contain and confront inappropriate actions. IRAN ¶7. (C) Kozaczewski said he had been informed that there would be no formal discussion of Iran sanctions at the GAERC. He expressed confidence that the draft Council Decision and Council Regulation texts needed to complete EU implementation of UNSCR 1803 would be adopted without discussion. CONGO ¶8. (C) French FM Kouchner briefed ministers at the Gymnich on his trip to the DRC and "softly insisted" that the EU had to take action. Kozaczewski speculated that Kouchner might present a proposal at the GAERC, but said it would not be easy for Poland to commit personnel due to its increasing engagement in Afghanistan. Poland will take a neutral stance and will insist on seeing a detailed proposal before making a commitment. EU ENGAGEMENT IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN ¶9. (C) According to Kozaczewski, FM Sikorski will note that Poland has completed withdrawing its military forces from Iraq and use the occasion to press for more EU engagement and a stronger EU presence in Iraq. Sikorski will also note that Poland assumed responsibility October 30 for security and reconstruction in Afghanistan's Ghazni province and call for a larger EU police training presence in Afghanistan. ASHE