Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BUDAPEST443
2009-06-19 14:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Budapest
Cable title:
HUNGARY RELUCTANT TO JOIN IRENA CITING BUDGET
how-toVZCZCXRO4139 RR RUEHAST RUEHDH RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHPB RUEHPOD RUEHSL RUEHTM RUEHTRO DE RUEHUP #0443 1701416 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 191416Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4264 INFO RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000443
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EEB/ESC - MONOSSON, OES/EGC - THOMPSON AND
IO/EDA - WEBBER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KGHG ENRG SENV HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARY RELUCTANT TO JOIN IRENA CITING BUDGET
PRESSURES; SUPPORTS GERMANY FOR HEADQUARTERS SITE
REF: SECSTATE 61286
UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000443
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EEB/ESC - MONOSSON, OES/EGC - THOMPSON AND
IO/EDA - WEBBER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KGHG ENRG SENV HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARY RELUCTANT TO JOIN IRENA CITING BUDGET
PRESSURES; SUPPORTS GERMANY FOR HEADQUARTERS SITE
REF: SECSTATE 61286
1. (SBU) Miklos Poos, Deputy Director General for
Environment, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation at the
Ministry of Transport, Telecommunications and Energy told us
June 17 that Hungary has not yet made a decision to join the
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). In response
to reftel points, Poos said that the GOH has no substantive
objections to IRENA. However, Hungary's current economic
situation and budget constraints make it difficult to take on
the added costs of joining a new organization at this time
(which he estimated for Hungary would be 120,000 - 150,000
euros annually).
2. (SBU) In reference to the Headquarters question, Poos
said that the GOH views IRENA as "an unambiguous German
initiative" and, as such, prefers Germany as the site for
IRENA's HQ. Additionally, he noted that if/when Hungary
decides to join IRENA, the costs (transportation, lodging) of
attending meetings in Germany would by 1/3 less than if
the HQ were located in the UAE.
3. (SBU) Comment: The budget constraints facing GOH
Ministries in the current economic crisis are significant.
On June 16, Foreign Minister Balazs announced that Hungary
will close twelve embassies and eight consulates worldwide as
part of an effort to cut costs. Given this context,
regardless of the substantive merits of IRENA, it is unlikely
Hungary will join in the near future.
Levine
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EEB/ESC - MONOSSON, OES/EGC - THOMPSON AND
IO/EDA - WEBBER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KGHG ENRG SENV HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARY RELUCTANT TO JOIN IRENA CITING BUDGET
PRESSURES; SUPPORTS GERMANY FOR HEADQUARTERS SITE
REF: SECSTATE 61286
1. (SBU) Miklos Poos, Deputy Director General for
Environment, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation at the
Ministry of Transport, Telecommunications and Energy told us
June 17 that Hungary has not yet made a decision to join the
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). In response
to reftel points, Poos said that the GOH has no substantive
objections to IRENA. However, Hungary's current economic
situation and budget constraints make it difficult to take on
the added costs of joining a new organization at this time
(which he estimated for Hungary would be 120,000 - 150,000
euros annually).
2. (SBU) In reference to the Headquarters question, Poos
said that the GOH views IRENA as "an unambiguous German
initiative" and, as such, prefers Germany as the site for
IRENA's HQ. Additionally, he noted that if/when Hungary
decides to join IRENA, the costs (transportation, lodging) of
attending meetings in Germany would by 1/3 less than if
the HQ were located in the UAE.
3. (SBU) Comment: The budget constraints facing GOH
Ministries in the current economic crisis are significant.
On June 16, Foreign Minister Balazs announced that Hungary
will close twelve embassies and eight consulates worldwide as
part of an effort to cut costs. Given this context,
regardless of the substantive merits of IRENA, it is unlikely
Hungary will join in the near future.
Levine