POLISH VIEWS ON SEPTEMBER 14-15 GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 WARSAW 000934 SIPDIS EUR/CE, EUR/ERA, NEA, SCA, S/SRAP E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2019 TAGS: PREL PHUM EFIN EAID KNNP IR PK AF CE PL SUBJECT: POLISH VIEWS ON SEPTEMBER 14-15 GAERC REF: A. EUR/ERA E-MAIL 9/4/09 ¶B. WARSAW 931 Classified By: Political Counselor Dan Sainz for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. Poland strongly supports increased EU engagement in Afghanistan, including more resources for civilian reconstruction and the EUPOL police training mission. The Poles appreciate the Swedish Presidency's efforts to elaborate a comprehensive, far-reaching EU strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. Poland will press for sustained EU solidarity on Iran, with respect both to treatment of EU personnel and missing AmCits and to the nuclear question. Poland strongly supports EU autonomous sanctions against Iran in the event Russia and China continue to refuse to play a constructive role. Poland believes closer cooperation between the EU and U.S. is needed to help some EU "hold-outs" understand the severity of the risk. Poland supports efforts to draw the Southern Caucasus closer to Western institutions and will press the EU to maintain its principled stance on Georgian integrity. Poland will also urge EU member states not to underestimate the significance of ongoing talks between Turkey and Armenia, in terms of Turkey's EU accession prospects and efforts to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) POLOFF delivered ref A points September 10 to MFA Deputy Director for EU Affairs Cyryl Kozaczewski. AF/PAK -------------- ¶3. (C) Regardless of the final outcome of presidential elections, Kozaczewski said the EU should take immediate action to support the GOA in preparing for next year's parliamentary elections. Elections are not a single event, but part of the long-term democratization process, Kozaczewski said. Poland supports UNAMA head Kai Eide's proposal to hold an international conference in Kabul in early 2010. The conference should be a signal to the Afghan people that the international community remains engaged, but expects the GOA to take the lead. FM Sikorski appreciates and strongly supports the Swedish Presidency's efforts to elaborate by October a comprehensive, far-sighted strategy of EU engagement in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Poland will continue to press EU member states to allocate additional funds for civilian reconstruction. Poland will also push to bring the EUPOL mission up to full strength (400 police),to improve coordination of police training, and to expand the mission's presence beyond Kabul by establishing regional hubs. Kozaczewski stressed that close coordination between the EU and U.S. is essential ¶4. (C) Kozaczewski did not expect much discussion on Pakistan at the GAERC. He noted that the Gymnich had focused primarily on strengthening EU trade with Pakistan, which would give the EU greater leverage in the future. He said Poland welcomed the decision to hold an EU-Pakistan summit during Spain's presidency. IRAN -------------- ¶5. (C) Poland will note that progress achieved in Iran with respect to accusations against EU citizens and EU embassies' personnel was a direct result of EU solidarity. Poland will stress the need to maintain EU solidarity to ensure the security and freedom of EU personnel and the release of the five missing AmCits. Poland will press EU member states to express "deep disappointment" with the lack of a constructive reaction from Iran to P5 1 offers to engage in dialogue -- and to discuss related incentive packages -- on Iran's nuclear program. Poland will press for a continuation of the double-track approach, noting that offers to engage in dialogue must be balanced with meaningful sanctions in the absence of an Iranian response. While most EU member states prefer to wait until after UNGA to discuss autonomous EU sanctions, Poland realizes it is unlikely that China and Russia will "play a constructive role" and therefore the GOP supports far-reaching EU measures along the lines proposed by the UK. Despite the "better climate" among EU member states, it will not be easy to achieve EU consensus because most member states do not yet realize just how serious the risk is. He advocated closer cooperation and "more intense" discussion between the EU and the U.S. Poland will also press for greater EU emphasis on calling on Iran to cooperate fully with IAEA efforts to clarify and explain its nuclear-related activity. SOUTHERN CAUCASUS / EASTERN PARTNERSHIP WARSAW 00000934 002 OF 002 -------------- ¶6. (C) The EU must demonstrate openness when it comes to efforts to draw the Southern Caucasus closer to Western institutions, Kozaczewski said. Poland will press the EU to work toward quick completion of trade and visa facilitation agreements with Georgia. At the same time, Poland will push the EU to maintain its principled stance on Georgian territorial integrity and on full implementation of the EUMM mandate. Poland will also urge the EU not to underestimate the significance of ongoing talks between Turkey and Armenia. Improved bilateral relations have important implications, both for Turkey's EU accession prospects and for efforts to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. ¶7. (C) Kozaczewski said Poland is satisfied with progress on the Eastern Partnership, especially the rate at which new projects are being developed. The GOP remains concerned, however, that the initiative might suffer if a new post-Lisbon Treaty HighRep has too much on his/her plate. As a result, Poland will continue to press for creation of a new post -- Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) -- or, at least, the transfer of responsibility for ENP to the Commissioner for Enlargement. SRI LANKA -------------- ¶8. (C) On Sri Lanka, Kozaczewski echoed points made separately by the MFA's Sri Lanka desk officer (ref B). He noted that Sri Lanka had dropped off the GAERC agenda, but would be discussed by EU PolDirs September 14. During that meeting, Poland will express a preference for conditioning EU assistance on greater freedom of movement for IDPs. Poland will also urge greater EU coordination with other donors, including the U.S. and Japan. ¶9. (C) Kozaczewski noted that the Swedish Presidency had divided the September GAERC into two separate sessions (General Affairs on September 14; External Relations on September 15). As a result, FM Sikorski would not be able to attend because of a September 15 Council of Ministers meeting. Instead, the GOP will be represented by Deputy FM Najder. ASHE