POLISH VIEWS ON OCTOBER 26-27 GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 WARSAW 001087 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR, SCA, NEA E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2019 TAGS: PREL PHUM PL SUBJECT: POLISH VIEWS ON OCTOBER 26-27 GAERC REF: EUR/ERA E-MAIL 10/17/2009 Classified By: Political Counselor Dan Sainz for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. Poland largely shares U.S. views on the Western Balkans, Afghanistan/Pakistan and the Middle East. Poland supports a sustained EU operational presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as visa liberalization regimes for both Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Poland appreciates Swedish Presidency efforts to strengthen EU action in Afghanistan and Pakistan, particularly with respect to strengthening Afghanistan's electoral mechanisms. While Poland supports the EU's human rights strategy in Afghanistan, it will press other EU member states to take a more realistic approach. Poland will also push for continued EU support for U.S. efforts in the Middle East, including a Swedish Presidency proposal to develop "deposits" -- i.e., a list of ready-to-go deliverables when negotiations resume. On Iran, Poland supports work on an EU position with respect to future stages of negotiations and a calendar of actions, including autonomous sanctions, to be taken in case talks fail. Poland will press for greater EU engagement in Moldova to prevent an anti-Western backlash, especially initiatives to draw the EU and Moldova's financial institutions closer together. END SUMMARY. WESTERN BALKANS -------------- ¶2. (C) Poloff delivered ref points October 19 to MFA EU Correspondent Cyryl Kozaczewski. In a follow-up meeting October 22, Kozaczewski said Poland is working to drive discussion in the EU in a similar direction. On the Western Balkans, Poland sees positive signs and forward momentum, but remains concerned about the political conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Poland will push EU member states to support unambiguously all actions crucial for strengthening the country's territorial integrity and observance of Dayton Agreement regulations. As such, it is crucial for the EU to maintain an operational presence in the country to ensure further stabilization and stimulate reforms. Poland supports extending visa liberalization to Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina as soon as the two countries reach the road map requirements laid down by the Commission in 2008. Political considerations must not override the need for proper technical preparation for visa-free travel, Kozaczewski emphasized. ; AFGHANISTAN / PAKISTAN -------------- ¶3. (C) Poland appreciates the Swedish Presidency's work to date on a plan to strengthen EU action in Afghanistan and Pakistan and will push for rapid implementation. The EU should be closely involved in the second round of presidential elections to promote a transparent and credible process, as well as a legitimate outcome. The EU should take a forward-looking approach to 2010 parliamentary elections and continue to support improvements in Afghanistan's electoral system and other aspects of Afghanistan's ongoing democratization process. Poland supports the EU Human Rights Strategy in Afghanistan, but will push other member states to take a more realistic approach towards the time frame and scope of full implementation. MIDDLE EAST -------------- ¶4. (C) Poland will press for continued EU support for U.S. efforts to break the impasse in the Middle East Peace Process. Poland hopes that Special Envoy Mitchell's talks with the Israelis and Palestinians will lead to the re-launching of negotiations. Poland supports proposals laid out in a Swedish Presidency non-paper on "deposits" -- i.e., a list of what the EU can offer after negotiations resume in terms of security policy, protection of refugees, etc. Poland believes Syria's role is of crucial importance and hopes the EU-Syria association agreement will be signed soon. IRAN -------------- ¶5. (C) Kozaczewski said foreign ministers would discuss Iran over dinner. Poland remains skeptical about Iranian intentions, but views the launch of direct U.S.-Iran contacts during the October 1 meeting in Geneva as a positive outcome. Poland supports efforts to draft an EU position with respect to future stages of the negotiations and to prepare a calendar of actions to be taken in case talks fail. Kozaczewski said he expected the "usual suspects" would WARSAW 00001087 002 OF 002 continue to hold out on sanctions in favor of continued outreach to China and Russia on UN sanctions. MOLDOVA -------------- ¶6. (C) Kozaczewski said Poland would press EU foreign ministers to be more proactive on Moldova. This is a breakthrough moment for Moldova. The EU needs to address Moldova's fragile political and economic situation to prevent an anti-Western backlash, he stressed. Poland supports EU action aimed at maintaining stability and mitigating the effects of the crisis. In line with the goals of the Eastern Partnership and June 15 GAERC conclusions, Poland also backs initiatives to draw the EU and Moldova -- particularly financial institutions -- closer together. TULLEY