SLOVAK RESPONSE TO OCTOBER GAERC DEMARCHE

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000451 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/CE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL EU LO SUBJECT: SLOVAK RESPONSE TO OCTOBER GAERC DEMARCHE ¶1. PolOff delivered talking points to Albin Otruba, European Correspondent at the Slovak MFA. Otruba stressed that Afghanistan is a priority country for Slovak development assistance, and that they are trying to coordinate with other EU members in this area. He noted that the EU would be discussing the potential for another election monitoring mission, but Slovakia wanted to ensure that such a mission would be well prepared so as not to be counterproductive. ¶2. On the Balkans, Otruba said that Slovakia was pleased with the level of cooperation demonstrated by recent joint EU-U.S. visits to the region, as it is necessary for the international community to maintain a strong and unified stance. Otruba also reiterated that Slovakia supports EU membership for Montenegro, Serbia, and Albania, and is one of the strongest supporters of EU enlargement in the Balkans. ¶3. Otruba mentioned that in addition to the topics addressed in reftel demarche, the GAERC would address developments in Iran, the security and humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka, and the possibility of providing financial assistance to Moldova. EDDINS