CZECH EU PRESIDENCY: COMMENTS ON UPCOMING JUNE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PRAGUE 000324 SENSITIVE SIPDIS EUR/ERA WLUCAS, EUR/CE FOR ATRATENSEK E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/11/2014 TAGS: EUN EZ EG PGOV PREL SU LE CU BM SUBJECT: CZECH EU PRESIDENCY: COMMENTS ON UPCOMING JUNE GAERC Classified By: POLEC Counselor Charles O. Blaha for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On June 11 emboff spoke with Magdalena Janesova of the Czech MFA Department of Common Foreign and Security Policy in advance of the June 15-16 EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC). Of note were her comments on: the Middle East, Lebanon, the Western Balkans, Georgia, Cuba, Sudan, and Burma. End Summary. -------------- Middle East - Will Reference Two-State Solution, but Not Quartet Principles -------------- ¶2. (C) Janesova noted that there are three conclusions planned for the upcoming GAERC on Middle East issues - one on the Middle East Peace Process, one on Lebanon, and one on Iraq. On the Middle East Peace Process, the EU plans to reference the two-state solution, specifically because PM Netanyahu has yet to do so. When it comes to the Arab Peace Initiative, the EU would welcome ideas as to how the international community might "breathe life" into this idea. On Palestinian reconciliation, the Czechs still hope for a technical government without Hamas. Janesova also flagged for us that there will be no explicit reference in the GAERC conclusion to the Quartet Principles, although the substance of the principles are there. While the Czechs are not pleased with this, Janesova noted that France, Portugal, Ireland, and the Swedes have blocked the inclusion of an explicit reference. -------------- Lebanon and Syria -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The EU sees engagement with Syria in a similar light to the U.S. and as one of the few means of leverage available. They do not plan to move on the EU-Syria Association Agreement at this time, since Lebanese elections have just occurred and the next month could give a better perspective of how Syria acts as the new Lebanese government takes shape. Thus, the Czechs anticipate that the Association Agreement will be discussed at the next GAERC, with the possibility that the EU will move toward signing in the early fall. While EU policy on Hizballah is slightly different than the U.S. (the EU has not put them on the terrorist list),the EU is pleased with the election results in Lebanon. -------------- Western Balkans -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The Western Balkans will be covered by the EU Foreign Ministers during the luncheon discussion and will focus primarily on Bosnia, Serbia, and Slovenia/Croatia. The EU plans to announce its policy commitment to further develop visa liberalization for the countries in this region. Janesova noted that High Representative Valentine Inzko visited Prague earlier this week to brief Czech FM Kohout and Janesova characterized his comments as "very positive." Janesova also commented that there will be a discussion of Serbia and that the Czechs are hopeful that there may be some movement from the Dutch on the issue of ICTY compliance that would perhaps allow the EU to move forward on its interim trade agreement with Serbia. On the Slovenia/Croatia border dispute, Enlargement Commissioner Rehn will address the Ministers. The Czechs are not very optimistic about progress in this area and note U.S. pressure on both parties would be welcome. -------------- Georgia - Extension of EUMM in the Works -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The Czechs share our views on Georgia and note that the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) will be discussed at the GAERC and the paperwork is in train to extend the mandate of the EUMM for another year. -------------- Cuba -------------- ¶6. (C) At the GAERC there will be an evaluation of the EU's political dialogue with Cuba over the last year. The GAERC conclusions on this will again reference all three elements of the European Council decision from June 2008 (release of all political prisoners, access by international humanitarian organizations to Cuban prisons, and a call for the Cuban government to ratify and implement covenants on human rights to which Cuba has acceded). PRAGUE 00000324 002 OF 002 -------------- Sudan - EU Election Mission in Future? -------------- ¶7. (SBU) While Janesova did not have any comments on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, she did note that the EU is contemplating/evaluating whether it might be willing and able to send an election observer mission later this year in advance of elections. She noted that the major consideration at the moment is the security environment on the ground. -------------- Burma Statement -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Given the current trial of Aung San Suu Kyi, the EU plans to make a statement about this. It will be relatively brief, unless there is a verdict in the trial. If there is a verdict, and it is negative, Janesova opined that this could be a very long statement and could take some effort to reach consensus since some countries, such as Britain, will want very strong language backed up by measures against the government. Thompson-Jones