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.

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Evaluating What the EU Can Offer Afghanistan and Next
Elections
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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.

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The Middle East and Iran
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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.

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Bildt Non-paper to Streamline CFSP Priorities
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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