NETHERLANDS/EU: DUTCH PRIORITIES FOR JANUARY GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000054

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV EU NL CZ
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/EU: DUTCH PRIORITIES FOR JANUARY GAERC

REF: A. SECSTATE 4297

B. SECSTATE 5430

Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Andrew C. Mann for reasons
1.5(b,d)


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Dutch are looking to reactivate the EU
border mission in support of Israel-Palestine peace
negotiations. On Guantanamo, the EU will consider a common
position, but the Dutch are not willing to accept detainees.
On Ukraine/Russia, the Dutch will support continued
negotiations, including a dialogue with Russia on human
rights, while at the same time supporting efforts to improve
energy security. In the Balkans, the Dutch do not want EU
discussions to give Montenegro the impression its membership
application is moving forward. Similarly, for the planned EU
Eastern Partnership Summit, the Dutch want to avoid raising
false expectations. Also in The Hague, Czech D/PM Vondra
reviewed Czech priorities for the EU in a speech on January
20, and Embassy The Hague staff met with Czech counterparts
to discuss their agenda. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) Middle East: Embassy The Hague delivered reftel A
and B points to key Dutch MFA contacts. In a January 21
briefing for allied diplomats, Deputy EU Correspondent Rochus
Pronk noted the Middle East peace negotiations would be the
primary focus of meetings in Brussels January 26-27. EU FMs
would also see Israel FM Livni on January 21 and Arab FMs on
January 25. Working with the Danish, the Dutch aim to
reactivate the EU border mission. They do not expect an EU
decision on that proposal on the 26th, although the EU could
approve a related fact-finding mission.


3. (SBU) Guantanamo: Pronk stated the EU was not likely to
approve conclusions on Guantanamo but will discuss whether
the EU could support a common position. The Dutch are not
willing to accept detainees but will consider helping with
repatriation efforts. The Dutch MFA has made similar public
statements to the Dutch parliament over the last week.
(Note: Some opposition parliamentarians appear willing to
accept detainees, but the ruling coalition parties supported
the MFA position in a January 22 debate. End Note.)


4. (C) Ukraine-Russia: Pronk stated the Dutch want to
continue negotiations with Russia, including a dialogue on
human rights. Although Pronk does not expect GAERC
conclusions, the EU may consider efforts to boost energy
security. Cees Bansema, head of the MFA EU internal affairs
division and also briefing allied diplomats with Pronk, noted
the Dutch would continue to push for increased gas
"connectivity" and efforts to diversify fuel sources. In an
aside, however, Bansema noted these efforts don't "resolve
Russia's unfair game."


5. (SBU) Balkans: Pronk was unsure of the Czech presidency's
plans on the Balkans -- Kosovo was on the agenda, then off --
but he understood the EU may consider Montenegro's December
15 application before the EU and ask for a formal opinion on
the application. The Dutch would oppose that move as
premature, believing the EU should focus on the current
"association relationship."


6. (U) Eastern Partnership: Similarly, Bansema noted the
Netherlands supports engaging Europe's neighbors, as the
Czechs have proposed for their May 7 Eastern Partnership
Summit, but they do not want to create false expectations
that these meetings will lead to EU accession. In addition,
the Dutch do not want to increase the planned budget for
engaging with Eastern Europe.


7. (U) Visit of Czech D/PM Vondra: Speaking to roughly 100
diplomats and academics in The Hague on January 20, Czech
Qdiplomats and academics in The Hague on January 20, Czech
D/PM Vondra outlined his nation's agenda for the EU
presidency, including the "3 Es" theme of economy, energy,
and external relations. Dutch MFA State Secretary for
European Affairs responded with praise for Vondra's
experience as a dissident during Soviet times, and by noting
Dutch support for Czech priorities. At the same time,
Timmermans would have added a "fourth E," for the environment
and global warming, "the existential challenge of our times."
Vondra and Timmermans acknowledged relative Czech
enthusiasm and Dutch caution on the issue of EU enlargement.


8. (U) Czech diplomats in The Hague: The Czech DCM, political
officer and economic officer met with econ head, poldep, and
econoff on January 9 to discuss priorities for the EU
presidency. Regarding policy, the Czechs expect Dutch
support on many issues, including human rights and a planned
EU-Israel Summit. However, the Czechs disagree with the
Dutch opposition to closer EU ties to Serbia pending Serbian
cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the
former Yugoslavia. The Czechs were not sure how hard the
Czech leadership would push the Netherlands on this issue,
but the Czech team in The Hague is "not pushing really hard."
Also on Eastern Europe, the Czechs would support an offer of
a NATO Membership Action Plan for Ukraine and Georgia, but
"Germany would block" that effort. The Czechs would like to
see the accession of Croatia as soon as possible, but the
bilateral dispute between Slovenia and Croatia will probably
delay that effort until after Sweden's EU presidency. On
Russia, the Czechs may take a more critical line than the
Netherlands. On Cuba, the Czechs are considering a visit by
their FM to Havana, or a side meeting during the Rio Group
gathering. At the same time, the Czechs are willing to
return to sanctions against the regime depending on the EU
policy assessment in June. Czech President Klaus plans to
visit the Netherlands in March, on travel unrelated to the EU
presidency. The Czechs hope for an early April visit to
Prague by the POTUS.
GALLAGHER