Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BRATISLAVA189
2009-04-23 14:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bratislava
Cable title:
GAERC: SLOVAKIA SUPPORTS DIALOGUE WITH EASTERN
how-toVZCZCXRO7445 PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHSL #0189 1131434 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 231434Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2460 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHCH/AMEMBASSY CHISINAU 0052 RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV 0055 RUEHVB/AMEMBASSY ZAGREB 0216
UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000189
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/CE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EUN PGOV UP SY MD LO
SUBJECT: GAERC: SLOVAKIA SUPPORTS DIALOGUE WITH EASTERN
NEIGHBORS
REF: J.GIAQUE 4/20 E-MAIL
UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000189
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/CE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EUN PGOV UP SY MD LO
SUBJECT: GAERC: SLOVAKIA SUPPORTS DIALOGUE WITH EASTERN
NEIGHBORS
REF: J.GIAQUE 4/20 E-MAIL
1. (SBU) Summary. Poloff discussed ref points on the April
27-28 GAERC meeting with European Correspondent Albin Otruba
on April 23. The discussion of Ukraine and Moldova, which
will be held in the context of the Eastern Partnership, is
the most interesting for Slovakia. Slovakia supports
continuous dialogue with all of its eastern neighbors,
including Belarus. Otruba said Iran will not be the subject
of discussions, but will be mentioned in the conclusions. FM
Lajcak plans to consult with his EU colleagues on the April
29-30 visit to Slovkia of Syrian President Asad. End summary.
EASTERN PARTNERSHIP
--------------
2. (SBU) Slovakia will support EU financial assistance to
Ukraine, albeit with concrete conditions to ensure the money
goes where it is needed. Otruba said it is in Slovakia's
interest and the EU's that Ukraine be stabilized -
financially, politically and in terms of security.
3. (SBU) On Moldova, Otruba said no one can be happy with the
results of recent elections, but dialogue must continue
nonetheless. The EU needs to be actively engaged with both
the government and the opposition in Moldova, and must strive
to be trusted by both sides.
4. (SBU) Otruba regretted that it is necessary to invite
Lukashenka to the Prague summit, but - as with Moldova - it
is more important to keep the country involved than to punish
individual bad guys. "The EU must be present and influential
with all of our eastern neighbors," said Otruba.
CROATIA
--------------
5. (SBU) Slovakia is "very unhappy" that Slovenia has brought
a bilateral dispute with Croatia into the accession
discussion so late in the game. Otruba described the
situation as "unpleasant," and said it is particularly
difficult for Slovakia since they are accustomed to excellent
relations with both countries. Otruba said Slovakia would try
to remain neutral in this GAERC meeting since he believes
other, more influential countries, are prepared to take the
lead in pressuring Slovenia to separate its bilateral dispute
from the accession process.
MIDDLE EAST
--------------
6. (SBU) Otruba said the Middle East will be discussed, and
Slovak Foreign Minister Lajcak plans to speak about the April
29-30 visit of Syrian President Asad to Slovakia with his
European colleagues. Otruba believes Slovakia can be a
trusted intermediary between Syria and "the big western
states." Otruba said that Slovakia will encourage Syria to
endorse the Arab Peace Process and normalize its relations
with Lebanon. (Comment: It wasn't clear if the discussion on
the Middle East would be formal or on the margins. End
comment.)
EDDINS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/CE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EUN PGOV UP SY MD LO
SUBJECT: GAERC: SLOVAKIA SUPPORTS DIALOGUE WITH EASTERN
NEIGHBORS
REF: J.GIAQUE 4/20 E-MAIL
1. (SBU) Summary. Poloff discussed ref points on the April
27-28 GAERC meeting with European Correspondent Albin Otruba
on April 23. The discussion of Ukraine and Moldova, which
will be held in the context of the Eastern Partnership, is
the most interesting for Slovakia. Slovakia supports
continuous dialogue with all of its eastern neighbors,
including Belarus. Otruba said Iran will not be the subject
of discussions, but will be mentioned in the conclusions. FM
Lajcak plans to consult with his EU colleagues on the April
29-30 visit to Slovkia of Syrian President Asad. End summary.
EASTERN PARTNERSHIP
--------------
2. (SBU) Slovakia will support EU financial assistance to
Ukraine, albeit with concrete conditions to ensure the money
goes where it is needed. Otruba said it is in Slovakia's
interest and the EU's that Ukraine be stabilized -
financially, politically and in terms of security.
3. (SBU) On Moldova, Otruba said no one can be happy with the
results of recent elections, but dialogue must continue
nonetheless. The EU needs to be actively engaged with both
the government and the opposition in Moldova, and must strive
to be trusted by both sides.
4. (SBU) Otruba regretted that it is necessary to invite
Lukashenka to the Prague summit, but - as with Moldova - it
is more important to keep the country involved than to punish
individual bad guys. "The EU must be present and influential
with all of our eastern neighbors," said Otruba.
CROATIA
--------------
5. (SBU) Slovakia is "very unhappy" that Slovenia has brought
a bilateral dispute with Croatia into the accession
discussion so late in the game. Otruba described the
situation as "unpleasant," and said it is particularly
difficult for Slovakia since they are accustomed to excellent
relations with both countries. Otruba said Slovakia would try
to remain neutral in this GAERC meeting since he believes
other, more influential countries, are prepared to take the
lead in pressuring Slovenia to separate its bilateral dispute
from the accession process.
MIDDLE EAST
--------------
6. (SBU) Otruba said the Middle East will be discussed, and
Slovak Foreign Minister Lajcak plans to speak about the April
29-30 visit of Syrian President Asad to Slovakia with his
European colleagues. Otruba believes Slovakia can be a
trusted intermediary between Syria and "the big western
states." Otruba said that Slovakia will encourage Syria to
endorse the Arab Peace Process and normalize its relations
with Lebanon. (Comment: It wasn't clear if the discussion on
the Middle East would be formal or on the margins. End
comment.)
EDDINS