HUNGARIAN VIEWS ON JULY 27-28 FOREIGN MINISTERS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000533

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CE JAMIE LAMORE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARIAN VIEWS ON JULY 27-28 FOREIGN MINISTERS
MEETING (GAERC)

REF: JULY 16 GIAUQUE EMAIL

Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY CDA JEFF LEVINE FOR REASONS 1.4(b) AND (d)


1. (U) MFA EU External Relations Section Chief Andras Dekany
discussed issues on the agenda of the July 27-28 GAERC
Meeting with EmbOff on July 24. Dekany noted that the agenda
will focus on three items: Iran, Georgia, and Somalia. He
provided the following summary of the MFA's position on the
subjects.

IRAN
--------------


2. (C) The GOH continues to believe that the most important
issue regarding Iran is ensuring that Iran does not obtain
nuclear weapons capability. To do so, Hungary believes the
EU and the international community must make it clear that
there is a time limit for Iran to respond with steps to
address the concerns of the international community. To
ensure credibility, the GOH believes the EU should begin the
process of examining tougher potential sanctions, taking into
account the end of September timeframe endorsed by the G-8.
Should international pressure be met with a negative response
from Iran, and if additional or stronger sanction measures
become necessary, the GOH believes the international
community should first seek endorsement through the UN, which
Hungary would support.


3. (C) Regarding the situation of the detained French
citizen, the GOH believes that international pressure similar
to that applied in the case of the British Embassy employee
should be used. On the technical issue of diplomatic
participation at the inauguration of President Ahmadinejad,
Dekany noted that it is a non-issue for Hungary, as their
Ambassador will be out of the country on holiday at the time.


GEORGIA
--------------


4. (C) Regarding Georgia, Dekany noted that his Ministry only
had an interim position. As such, he indicated that Hungary
strongly supports extension of the EU Monitoring Mission
(EUMM),and believes the mandate is crucial for ensuring
stability in Georgia. He noted that the GOH does not believe
modification of the mandate is necessary at this time. The
international community should explore creative ways to
ensure international presence in Abkhazia and South Ossetia;
for example, by initiating regular visits of senior OSCE and
UN officials.


5. (C) Dekany noted that allowing third country participation
in the EUMM might be opening a "Pandora's box." Although
Hungary would not be opposed to U.S. participation and
believes it is useful to discreetly examine how to enhance
U.S. cooperation, the GOH is concerned that opening the door
for third country participation may result in countries that
are less welcome as potential participants knocking on the
door.

SOMALIA
--------------


6. (C) On Somalia, The GOH supports increased EU assistance
to support the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the
establishment of civil and military forces, but does not
believe it is realistic at this time to establish an
on-the-ground EU presence in Somalia. They support sending
an EU fact-finding mission and the development of a legal
framework in support of anti-piracy efforts.
LEVINE