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