GAERC - POLISH VIEWS ON DECEMBER 8-9 EU FOREIGN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 WARSAW 001378 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/CE, EUR/ERA, AND EUR/SCE E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM EUN ZL IS PK CG TU PL SUBJECT: GAERC - POLISH VIEWS ON DECEMBER 8-9 EU FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING REF: A. STATE 127023 ¶B. STOCKHOLM 792 ¶C. BRUSSELS 1808 Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR DANIEL SAINZ FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Poland is "90 percent satisfied" with the EU Commission's report on the Eastern Partnership, despite the fact that the Commission failed to appoint a Special Coordinator for the project and had committed only 400 million euros, 200 million less than the sum originally proposed by Poland and Sweden. Poland is pleased with Serbia's increasingly constructive stance on Kosovo. Poland and other EU Member States are concerned that internal tensions in Bosnia could have dangerous implications for the entire Balkans region. Poland will push for strong language in support of reconciliation between Pakistan and India. Poland's views on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process are fully in line with U.S. views, and Poland will support HighRep Solana's call for the EU to "upgrade relations" with Israel. END SUMMARY. EASTERN PARTNERSHIP ¶2. (C) MFA European Correspondent Cyryl Kozaczewski told us Poland is "90 percent satisfied" with the EU Commission's report on the Eastern Partnership. Poland had pressed the Commission to appoint a Special Coordinator for the Eastern Partnership, noting that the Commission point person was not sufficiently "prominent" from Poland's perspective. Kozaczewski also noted that the Commission had committed approximately 400 million euros, much less than the 600 million euro sum originally proposed by Poland and Sweden. Nonetheless, Poland is hopeful the Commission will make additional funding available if it is needed. European Council (December 11) Conclusions will mention the Eastern Partnership as an initiative to be launched in 2009, either at the March European Council meeting or at a special summit hosted by the Czech Presidency (date TBA). Kozaczewski noted that the biggest challenge still lies ahead, as the EU works to identify and implement concrete projects to fulfill the Partnership's goals. WESTERN BALKANS ¶3. (C) Kozaczewski speculated that the GAERC discussion on the Western Balkans would mainly focus on Serbia and Kosovo. He said Poland is pleased with recent progress in Serbia. Serbia's increasingly constructive stance on Kosovo is "very promising -- let's hope they stay wise." Poland is frustrated that Serbia had not been able to articulate clearly its views on future prospects. Kozaczewski said the major obstacle with Serbia is still cooperation with ICTY. ¶4. (C) Kozaczewski said Poland generally agreed with the Commission's reports concerning progress on enlargement priorities. Croatia has made "good progress" in recent months, notwithstanding reservations on ICTY and the border dispute with Slovenia. Kozaczewski said Poland was disappointed with the report on Macedonia, adding that the name dispute with Greece did not help matters. Poland, like other EU Member States, is "preoccupied" with the fragile situation in Bosnia. Poland hopes Bosnia can find ways to overcome internal tensions, especially because they have dangerous implications for stability in the region. PAKISTAN ¶5. (C) Kozaczewski said Poland will push for strong language in support of reconciliation between Pakistan and India, an issue of even greater concern because both countries possess nuclear weapons. We must convince the international community, including China and Russia, to adopt a "crisis management attitude" with respect to India and Pakistan, he WARSAW 00001378 002 OF 002 stressed. MIDDLE EAST ¶6. (C) Kozaczewski said Poland's views on Israeli-Palestinian peace process are fully in line with U.S. views. Poland strongly supports HighRep Solana's call for the EU to "upgrade relations" with Israel. In cooperation with the United States, Kozaczewski said, the EU can play an even more important role in the Middle East. ASHE