SLOVAKIA: STANCE ON KOSOVO, RESPONSE TO GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000651

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/NCE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2017
TAGS: PREL EU LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA: STANCE ON KOSOVO, RESPONSE TO GAERC
DEMARCHE

REF: STATE 164327 STATE 163945

Classified By: Ambassador Vincent X. Obsitnik for reasons 1.4 b and d


1. (C) PolEcon Chief discussed reftel points with MFA EU
Correspondent Alexander Micovcin on December 7. Micovcin
described the preparations for the December 10 GAERC and
December 14 Summit as "chaotic," noting that a special
COREPER had been convened today to hammer out unresolved
issues prior to the GAERC. Kosovo will be a top priority for
the GOS in both meetings and Micovcin noted that Foreign
Minister Kubis would be drafting his Kosovo talking points
himself. Separately, British Ambassador Michael Roberts
(please protect) told the DCM that the EU had been unable to
reach a consensus on the draft Kosovo conclusions for the
Summit and that Ministers would be tasked with hammering out
differences at the GAERC. According to Roberts, Slovakia has
objected to language which notes the need to take steps
forward toward a settlement now. Romania, meanwhile, objects
to the draft's description of the situation in Kosovo as
"unsustainable" and the Dutch disagree with the
characterization of the EU's role in Kosovo as "leading."
Cyprus has other objections. Roberts also showed us a letter
from the EU members of the Contact Group to the Portuguese FM
describing the present situation as "unsustainable."


2. (C) Micovcin said that the GOS had lobbied unsuccessfully
for language in the Kosovo conclusions regarding the need to
protect religious minorities, but was pleased that the text
included reference to the "sui generis" nature of the Kosovo
situation. Although Micovcin alluded to the fact that the
GOS took issue with a "few elements" of the current text, he
was reticent about providing further detail. (Comment: Now we
better understand why. End Comment.) He predicted that the
Kosovo discussion at both the GAERC and the Summit would be
quite tough as the question of how the EU would define
"unity" on the issue was as yet unresolved. (Comment: While
we continue our own efforts to steer the Slovaks in a
constructive direction on Kosovo, we agree with our British
colleagues who (reluctantly) suggested to us today that it
may be useful for the French to weigh in with the Slovaks, if
they are willing. The Sarkozy government is making an effort
to strengthen its relations with Slovakia and the two sides
are planning Sarkozy's visit here in early Spring. End
Comment.)


3. (C) On Iran, Micovcin echoed what we had heard earlier
this week from Political Director Buzek, i.e., that the GOS
believes the international community must maintain a unified
and tough approach on Iran. He suggested that the Iran NIE
could be a factor in EU deliberations on additional measures,
but confirmed Slovak support for such measures as well as the
designation now of Bank Melli and Bank Saderat.


4. (C) On Burma, Micovcin confirmed Slovakia's willingness to
support additional, targeted sanctions. He did not know,
however, whether the EU discussion would extend beyond a
review of recent diplomatic efforts to consideration of
possible financial measures.
OBSITNIK