BULGARIA SUPPORTS U.S. POSITION ON HLD; REQUESTS

UNCLAS SOFIA 001063 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREF SMIG UNGA BU SUBJECT: BULGARIA SUPPORTS U.S. POSITION ON HLD; REQUESTS VOTE FOR ECOSOC REF: SECSTATE 122513 ¶1. (U) Summary: We delivered reftel demarche to Mr. Kamen Velichkov of the MFA,s Department of UN and Global Issues on July 28. He said the GOB sees no need for a permanent forum on migration and that migration issues are best discussed in regional fora. He also requested USG support for Bulgaria's candidacy to the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). End summary. ¶2. (U) Velichkov said the government's position is in line with the EU in addressing migration issues on the regional level, and highlighted Bulgaria's special position as both a candidate EU member and a sender-state. He noted that for Bulgaria, migration is directly tied to economic growth, development, and security, and mentioned the government's new push to establish closer ties with Bulgarian expatriates. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently told Bulgarian Ambassadors that migration issues are a priority. Bulgaria sees no need for new mandates. ¶3. (U) The GOB will be represented at the High Level Dialogue by the Minister of Labor and Social Policy Emilia Maslarova. ¶4. (SBU) Velichkov requested USG support for Bulgaria's election to ECOSOC, where Bulgaria, Romania, and Belarus are vying for two regional seats. The GOB wants to reinvigorate and reform ECOSOC, and return it to its proper role as a venue for economic and social issues. If elected, Bulgaria would seek and likely receive a seat on the Peace-Building Commission. He highlighted that Bulgaria is far more democratic than Belarus and that a vote of support would mean support for the community of democracies. ¶5. (SBU) Velichkov said Bulgaria has the votes to win, but asked the USG to assist its lobbying efforts - if possible - and pass this request to countries where Bulgaria does not have representation. In particular, he asked the message to be conveyed to the Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Tonga, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Brunei, Bhutan, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Grenadines. We agreed to relay the request to Washington. Beyrle