Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SOFIA1648
2006-12-08 14:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Sofia
Cable title:  

GOB READY TO EXCHANGE BIT INSTRUMENTS DURING

Tags:  ETRD EINV KTIA OVIP OFDP PREL EUN BU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0431
OO RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA
RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHSF #1648 3421411
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 081411Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY SOFIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2930
INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SOFIA 001648 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR L. MOLNAR; COMMERCE FOR S. SAVICH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EINV KTIA OVIP OFDP PREL EUN BU
SUBJECT: GOB READY TO EXCHANGE BIT INSTRUMENTS DURING
DECEMBER 19 FM VISIT

REF: A. SECSTATE 192802

B. SOFIA 1613

C. E-MAIL KARAGIANNIS/NORDBERG/HOLLERAN - 07 DEC 06

UNCLAS SOFIA 001648

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR L. MOLNAR; COMMERCE FOR S. SAVICH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EINV KTIA OVIP OFDP PREL EUN BU
SUBJECT: GOB READY TO EXCHANGE BIT INSTRUMENTS DURING
DECEMBER 19 FM VISIT

REF: A. SECSTATE 192802

B. SOFIA 1613

C. E-MAIL KARAGIANNIS/NORDBERG/HOLLERAN - 07 DEC 06


1. (U) This is an action request. Please see para. 4.


2. (SBU) We delivered ref. A points and draft protocol to
MFA's Emilena Popova, Director of the International Law
Department, on December 7. Popova confirmed that the
Additional Protocol to the Bilateral Investment Agreement
(BIT) was ratified by Parliament and that all the steps in
the domestic ratification process were complete. The MFA is
ready to exchange instruments during FM Kalfin's December 19
meeting with Secretary Rice. They propose some
(non-substantive and protocollary) tweaks to our draft
protocol and would like to sign it in both English and
Bulgarian. The GOB's draft and its translation are being
e-mailed separately to EUR/NCE. Kalfin will bring the
instruments of ratificiation with him to Washington.


3. (SBU) We also briefed Popova on the USG's likely response
to the GOB's request to withdraw from two trade treaties and
to amend one because Bulgaria's fear of conflict with EU's
common trade policy (ref. B). We stressed our strong
preference to keep the treaties and amend them, if necessary,
highlighting that we've retained treaties with most of EU
member states. Popova conceded that there may be no need to
withdraw from the treaties, admitting that the Ministry of
Economy, the lead agency on analyzing Bulgaria's treaty
obligations in light of EU accession, has made similar
mistakes in the past. She said the GOB was open to
suggestions on amendments, and that MFA prefers to maintain
treaties whenever possible. She looks forward to
Washington's response to ref. B.


4. (SBU) Action request: We understand from ref. C. that the
Department is actively working with NSC on getting the BIT
instruments signed by the President in time for the
Kalfin/Rice meeting. Please coordinate with the Bulgarian
Embassy so that they are in sync with our choreography for
the exchange.
BEYRLE