US embassy cable - 04BRUSSELS4112

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 004112 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EB, EUR/ERA, AND EUR/SCE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2014 
TAGS: PREL, TU, PL, ZL, EUN, USEU BRUSSELS 
SUBJECT: POLISH EU PERMREP AMBASSADOR GRELA MEETING WITH EB 
A/S WAYNE 
 
 
Classified By: USEU/POL: HO'Hara, reasons 1.4 b/d 
 
 1. (C) Summary: Poland Permanent Representative to the EU, 
Ambassador Marek Grela stressed that the Polish government 
strongly endorses giving Turkey a date for accession talks to 
the EU this fall, said progress was being made on Cyprus aid 
issues among EU ambassadors, expressed concern over the 
current situation in Serbia, and commented briefly on the 
transatlantic relationship. He estimates that "more than 20 
EU countries" are ready to say "yes" to Turkey. End Summary 
 
2. (C) In a September 22 meeting with Assistant Secretary for 
Economic and Business Affairs Tony Wayne, Polish PermRep 
Ambassador Grela said that the Polish government strongly 
supports giving Turkey a date for EU accession talks. Even 
though Poland is a heavily Catholic country, the Polish 
public and many Polish clergy have a great deal of sympathy 
for Turkey. One reason is that Turkey was the only country in 
Europe that didn't recognize the 19th century Partition of 
Poland. In addition, there is a small Polish community, 
Polanescu (as heard), a weekend resort town about 80 km from 
Istanbul that was settled by Poles located there by Russia. 
All these factors contribute to a positive historical feeling 
about Turkey that is deep-rooted and emotional. 
 
3. (C) Grela argued that the proof of the EU's desire to show 
an open and outward looking face depends on the EU's ability 
to open itself to possible new members. Poland is interested 
in other new members besides Turkey. Within the EU, Grela 
said "more than 20 members" favor giving Turkey a date for 
starting accession talks.  A number of member states have 
some questions about timetables and conditions, but in the 
Polish view the offer for a date needs to be unconditional. 
Grela suggested that it would be better to offer no date or 
to delay a decision than try to impose more conditions. 
 
4. (C) On Cyprus, Grela said EU perm reps had earlier 
debated, in a restricted session, proposals for EU aid to 
Northern Cyrpus as well as proposals to allow trade.  He said 
the Cypriot Ambassador had shown more flexibility and that he 
(Grela) believed an agreement in principle has been reached 
on EU assistance.  Grela said some progress had been achieved 
also on trade but this was more difficult.  Nevertheless, 
Greala said he was optimistic that bit by bit an agreement 
could be hammered out to help Northern Cyprus. 
 
5. (C) Grela briefly commented on the Balkans and accession 
talks with Romania and Bulgaria. He said that it is crucial 
that the EU work to integrate the Balkans in the next five 
years. Serbia is key but it is drifting. The EU needs to be 
more engaged there and to show more political will in dealing 
with the question of Montenegro. On Romania and Bulgaria, the 
European Commission has concerns about its progress on 
closing three acquis chapters particularly in the justice and 
home affairs area. The Commission needs to do more to keep 
both Bulgaria and Romania moving towards their 2007 target 
date (a date that could slip). 
 
6. (C) Grela said that it is essential that the US and the EU 
work together to revive the transatlantic relations 
particularly in the areas of the EU's common foreign and 
security policy (CFSP) and European security and defense 
policies (ESDP). Poland wants EU efforts in ESDP to also 
complement those of NATO. Grela said that US/EU cooperation 
in foreign policy should focus on the Middle-East P