HUNGARIAN COMMENTS ON THE EU FAC MEETING FEBRUARY

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000102 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CE JAMIE MOORE AND EUR/ERA LIZ KONICK E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/18/2015 TAGS: PREL EU RU UA HU SUBJECT: HUNGARIAN COMMENTS ON THE EU FAC MEETING FEBRUARY 22 REF: KONICK FEBRUARY 18 EMAIL Classified By: Political Officer Jon Martinson, reasons 1.4 b and d ¶1. (U) MFA EU External Relations and Crisis Situations Section Chief Andras Dekany discussed ref email topics with PolOff on February 19. ¶2. (C) Dekany provided the following comments on three topics: Iran, Ukraine and Libya. -- IRAN: The recent announcement by Iran that it would increase its enrichment program raises serious concerns and increases the possibility that Iran is moving towards the development of a nuclear weapon. Hungary maintains its consistent position that the EU demonstrate unity, support the dual-track approach, and be prepared to take autonomous measures in dealing with Iran's nuclear program. Dekany stressed that after more than a year of limited progress "now is the time to activate further sanctions," for which Hungary believes the UNSC should initially take the lead. That said, Dekany suggested that informal discussions amongst several EU members, including the UK, may shift focus towards the human rights issues in Iran rather than the nuclear issue, based on an impression that "there is not much we can do about the nuclear issues." He asked PolOff if there are any on-going negotiations with Iran that include Brazil as a mediator. In closing remarks on Iran, Dekany said, that while human rights issues in Iran are important, Hungary believes that Iranian nuclear programs should be the focus. -- UKRAINE: Dekany said that Ukraine is not on the formal agenda, rather it will be a lunch discussion item, which will be the venue for the most important issues. According to Dekany, Foreign Minister Balazs will outline three broad expectations about the new Ukraine government: Yanukovych; Tymoshenko; and, Ukrainian foreign policy. Hungary expects Yanukovych to move quickly to gain control over all branches of the government and to be an active president providing very specific guidance and direction. Smaller parties will be willing to work with him in the near term to help ensure that they meet the threshold to enter parliament following the next elections. On Tymoshenko, Hungary sees her legal challenge to the election results as less about obtaining a favorable ruling, and more about sending a message to supporters that she is still actively involved in politics. She will maneuver in parliament to undermine the Yanukovych government. On Ukraine foreign policy, Hungary anticipates a multi-dimensional effort focused on improved relations with Russia while "not turning away from the EU" and that the NATO/Ukraine relationship will not move beyond the current status. Dekany highlighted the following areas as important messages for Ukraine: political stability and cooperation are imperative; the new government must "get back on track with the IMF"; improve energy sector infrastructure; combat corruption; the cooperative approach reflected in the EU/Ukraine relationship must remain high on the agenda; an improved Russian/Ukraine relationship can increase regional stability in the neighborhood, but in some case, i.e. free trade, Ukraine will have to make choices. -- LIBYA: Dekany related that Libya was an added agenda item due to the addition by the Swiss of some Libyans on the Schengen no-entry list and the Libyan response to not accept Schengen visa holders. Dekany stated he wasn't sure if this was a political or a consular issue, but consultations between Madrid, Rome and Berlin were ongoing to formulate a policy. KOUNALAKIS