Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BRATISLAVA33
2009-01-16 11:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bratislava
Cable title:
SLOVAKIA ON EU-SYRIA ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT
how-toVZCZCXRO8780 PP RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHSL #0033 0161112 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 161112Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2242 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0015 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 0032 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0034 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0169
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000033
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ELA ALLISON MONZ AND EUR/ERA JEFF GIAUQUE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2019
TAGS: PREL EU SY LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA ON EU-SYRIA ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT
REF: A. STATE 001985
B. 08BRATISLAVA463
Classified By: Political/Economic Chief Susan Ball for reasons 1.5 (b a
nd d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000033
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ELA ALLISON MONZ AND EUR/ERA JEFF GIAUQUE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2019
TAGS: PREL EU SY LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA ON EU-SYRIA ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT
REF: A. STATE 001985
B. 08BRATISLAVA463
Classified By: Political/Economic Chief Susan Ball for reasons 1.5 (b a
nd d).
1. (C) PolOff delivered reftel A points to Tana Halaszova of
the Slovak MFA's Middle East Department. Halaszova stated
that she did not believe the EU-Syria Association Agreement
would be discussed in upcoming EU Ministerial meetings, as
the European gas crisis and the Gaza conflict were causing a
reordering of EU priorities in 2009. Halaszova noted that
Slovakia maintains a belief that the EU should engage rather
than isolate Syria. Halaszova said that during Syrian FM
Moallem's September visit to Bratislava (reftel B),Slovak FM
Kubis discussed potential future cooperation, but the Slovaks
are approaching this relationship extremely cautiously, and
within the structure of a common EU foreign policy.
Halaszova agreed that the normalization of relations between
Syria and Lebanon is critical to regional stability, noting
that the Slovak MFA released a press statement praising both
countries on this decision. She said the Slovaks are
watching carefully for the actual exchange of Ambassadors
between Beirut and Damascus.
2. (C) Halaszova also agreed that June Lebanese
parliamentary elections created a delicate domestic political
situation in Lebanon, and conceded that the EU-Syria
Association Agreement could, if approved, empower radical,
Hizballah-aligned groups in that contest. Halaszova said the
Slovaks and their EU partners understand the need to support
moderation, rather than extremism, throughout the Middle
East. She also said the Slovaks are concerned about the
border dispute between Syria and Lebanon and the resultant
arms smuggling which occurs in that region. Halaszova
reiterated that she thought it very unlikely that the
EU-Syria Association Agreement would be on the EU agenda, and
said that if it was, Slovakia would have to carefully
evaluate the regional situation before agreeing to support it.
OBSITNIK
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ELA ALLISON MONZ AND EUR/ERA JEFF GIAUQUE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2019
TAGS: PREL EU SY LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA ON EU-SYRIA ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT
REF: A. STATE 001985
B. 08BRATISLAVA463
Classified By: Political/Economic Chief Susan Ball for reasons 1.5 (b a
nd d).
1. (C) PolOff delivered reftel A points to Tana Halaszova of
the Slovak MFA's Middle East Department. Halaszova stated
that she did not believe the EU-Syria Association Agreement
would be discussed in upcoming EU Ministerial meetings, as
the European gas crisis and the Gaza conflict were causing a
reordering of EU priorities in 2009. Halaszova noted that
Slovakia maintains a belief that the EU should engage rather
than isolate Syria. Halaszova said that during Syrian FM
Moallem's September visit to Bratislava (reftel B),Slovak FM
Kubis discussed potential future cooperation, but the Slovaks
are approaching this relationship extremely cautiously, and
within the structure of a common EU foreign policy.
Halaszova agreed that the normalization of relations between
Syria and Lebanon is critical to regional stability, noting
that the Slovak MFA released a press statement praising both
countries on this decision. She said the Slovaks are
watching carefully for the actual exchange of Ambassadors
between Beirut and Damascus.
2. (C) Halaszova also agreed that June Lebanese
parliamentary elections created a delicate domestic political
situation in Lebanon, and conceded that the EU-Syria
Association Agreement could, if approved, empower radical,
Hizballah-aligned groups in that contest. Halaszova said the
Slovaks and their EU partners understand the need to support
moderation, rather than extremism, throughout the Middle
East. She also said the Slovaks are concerned about the
border dispute between Syria and Lebanon and the resultant
arms smuggling which occurs in that region. Halaszova
reiterated that she thought it very unlikely that the
EU-Syria Association Agreement would be on the EU agenda, and
said that if it was, Slovakia would have to carefully
evaluate the regional situation before agreeing to support it.
OBSITNIK