POLISH VIEWS ON SEPTEMBER 4-5 GYMNICH

C O N F I D E N T I A L WARSAW 000912 SIPDIS EUR/CE, EUR/ERA, NEA E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2019 TAGS: PREL PHUM EFIN EAID AF IS PK IR SUBJECT: POLISH VIEWS ON SEPTEMBER 4-5 GYMNICH REF: EUR/ERA E-MAIL 8/29/09 Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR DAN SAINZ FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D ) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. In the run-up to the September 4-5 EU Gymnich meeting, Cyryl Kozaczewski, the Deputy Director of the MFA's EU Department, told us that Poland will advocate increased EU coordination with the U.S. on the Isaeli-Palestinian peace process and targeted assistance to Afghanistan. Poland also endorses expediently preparing specific measures against Iran if Tehran fails to respond to U.S. and EU diplomatic overtures. Regarding Pakistan, Poland supports enhanced EU political engagement with the Pakistani government, but the MFA is concerned that Pakistani ministries lack credible representatives who are committed to working with Western partners. END SUMMARY. MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS -------------- ¶2. (C) Poland will continue to push in the Gymnich for enhanced EU coordination with the U.S. approach to a lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace. Kozaczewski said Poland was very encouraged by President Obama's August 18 statement on the issue, but he was concerned that the situation on the ground could easily deteriorate. Kozaczewski emphasized that the EU and U.S. will have to take a lockstep approach in persuading both sides to fulfill their commitments. He predicted that the EU foreign ministers will forgo discussions on additional budget assistance to the Palestinian Authority, but will probably consider how to make current EU assistance more effective. IRAN -------------- ¶3. (C) Kozaczewski told us that FM Sikorski strongly endorses the U.S. position on quickly preparing specific measures, including additional sanctions, if Iran fails to respond to U.S. and EU diplomatic efforts. Kozaczewski speculated that discussions on Iran at the Gymnich meeting will be minimal, because the issue will be addressed in more detail at the GAERC. He added, however, that the ministers will almost certainly discuss how to assist in the release of five Americans missing in Iran. AFGHANISTAN -------------- ¶4. (C) Kozaczewski told us that Sikorski views Afghanistan to be one of his top priorities and predicted that the Foreign Minister will be a vocal advocate at the Gymnich for enhanced U.S.-EU assistance coordination. Sikorski has been frustrated with the EU's inability to staff fully the police training mission (EUPOL) in Afghanistan. ¶5. (C) Kozaczewski said that Afghanistan will probably be a part of a larger discussion at Gymnich on the EU's role as a global actor. He said that ministers are likely to discuss how the EU will determine its strategic priorities, what missions fit those priorities, and how to make budgetary process more flexible. PAKISTAN -------------- ¶6. (C) The Polish MFA supports enhanced EU political engagement with Pakistan, which Kozaczewski said has been woefully underdeveloped. At the same time, he expressed concern about the EU's ability to find "sincere partners" in Pakistan's government. Kozaczewski predicted that EU ministers would discuss regional development issues, but he said that he was unprepared to comment on the creation of the Pakistan Border Trust Fund. Regarding the U.S. request for more information on the disbursement of EU assistance, Kozaczewski suggested that the U.S. government contact the European Commission's Directorate General for External Relations. ASHE