DENMARK FIRM IN SUPPORT OF U.S. APPROACH ON KOSOVO

C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 001069 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO EUN YI DA SUBJECT: DENMARK FIRM IN SUPPORT OF U.S. APPROACH ON KOSOVO REF: STATE 165486 Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Bill Mozdzierz, reasons 1.4b,d ¶1. (C) There is "no doubt" that Denmark will be among the first EU member states to recognize the independence of Kosovo, Danish MFA Head of Department for Eastern Europe Ruben Madsen assured us December 12. Danish PM Rasmussen briefed the parliamentary foreign policy committee earlier that day, Madsen reported, and received broad backing for that approach. Aside from some lingering legal questions (which are in any case trumped by political considerations, Madsen said),Denmark's principle concern is that as many EU members as possible join in a coordinated process of declaring and recognizing Kosovo's independence. ¶2. (C) Madsen confirmed positive trends within the EU on Kosovo, highlighting Carl Bildt's apparent turn-around (the Swedish FM had been privately skeptical, but wound up making very helpful public statements, Madsen said) and suggesting that unexpected, last-minute Dutch objections will be overcome once the Dutch PM engages at the summit. The Cypriot-Russian collusion remains troubling, Madsen allowed, but doubted that Cyprus could hold out indefinitely. ¶3. (C) Although the Danish prime minister has a strong mandate on Kosovo going into the EU summit, Madsen indicated that the government will have to return to the parliamentary foreign policy committee for further consultations before taking the actual step of recognizing Kosovo. Acknowledging the need to move decisively, Madsen urged that recognition nevertheless be well coordinated among EU and other Western states and timed to allow for such internal political requirements. CAIN