CZECH COMMENTS IN ADVANCE OF EU FOREIGN MINISTERS'

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000526 SIPDIS EUR/ERA WLUCAS, EUR/CE FOR JBERGEMANN E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/03/2010 TAGS: EUN EZ EG PGOV PREL SUBJECT: CZECH COMMENTS IN ADVANCE OF EU FOREIGN MINISTERS' GYMNICH Classified By: POLEC Counselor Charles O. Blaha for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On September 2 emboff spoke with Czech MFA Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) Department Deputy Director Magdalena Janesova in advance of the September 4 EU Foreign Ministers' informal meeting (Gymnich). She offered comments on Afghanistan, Iran sanctions, and the non-paper of Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt on prioritizing CFSP issues. End Summary. -------------- Evaluating What the EU Can Offer Afghanistan and Next Elections -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Janesova commented that the European Commission and Council Secretariat have produced a well-reasoned Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy paper for the Foreign Ministers to discuss on September 4. She noted that the Czechs believe it is lacking in one particular area - they would like to see greater prominence given to the role of the PRTs. Czech Foreign Minister Kohout has indicated that he will press his EU counterparts to "do their homework" by returning to their capitals in order to evaluate what each individual member state can contribute to the strategy in order to have an in-depth discussion at the next GAERC. On Afghan elections, the Czechs believe that the international community needs to be better prepared for the next round, particularly when it comes to monitoring the elections and establishing a secure environment for voters. -------------- The Middle East and Iran -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Janesova had little to say on the Middle East Peace Process, noting that in the eyes of the EU, much depends on the approach of the USG. She commented that Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt is currently in the region, and that he will report to the rest of the EU Foreign Ministers on his visit and meetings. Iran will also be discussed at this time and here the Czechs feel that the clock is ticking. They are not optimistic that Iran will have met any of its obligations by the end of September. For this reason, the Czechs feel that the EU should begin work now to define and come to agreement on the sanctions to be implemented if Iran continues to fail to meet its obligations at the end of the month. -------------- Bildt Non-paper to Streamline CFSP Priorities -------------- ¶4. (C) Janesova noted that Swedish FM Bildt's three page non-paper is rather academic in style, and makes the case that the EU should collectively establish priorities within Common Foreign and Security Policy and then match these priorities with EU funds. As Janesova points out, the EU has ESDP priorities, so it makes sense to establish CFSP priorities. While this academically makes sense to the Czechs, Janesova expects this idea to go nowhere, given that in the clash between collective and national priorities, EU member states often opt to support (and fund) their individual priorities. She also noted that the Germans have told her they would rather drag out a discussion on Afghanistan all day than discuss this non-paper. Thompson-Jones