SLOVENIA'S PLANNED ASSISTANCE TO EU ESDP RULE OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000660 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2017 TAGS: PREL KCRM EAID EUN SI SUBJECT: SLOVENIA'S PLANNED ASSISTANCE TO EU ESDP RULE OF LAW MISSION TO KOSOVO Classified By: CDA Maryruth Coleman, Reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C) In an October 18 meeting, Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director for Security Policy Stanislav Vidovic told us that Slovenia's offer to provide pre-mission training to the core group of 20-25 of the ESDP Rule of Law Mission was "on track." At the October 10-11 EUPT Conference in Pristina, Slovenia had pushed its offer, which Vidovic said was welcomed as the EU "knew it had to do something." He explained that Slovenia had offered its know-how in different fields, including recent history, cultural, legal, economic and political background of former Yugoslavia and Kosovo. This would be the second part of the three part training for the Rule of Law core team. The first part would be in Brussels and cover the EU institutional and legal framework. The third part would be in Kosovo, about the current security situation from the field perspective. ¶2. (C) Vidovic said that Slovenia anticipates training the 20-25 members of the core group "hopefully sometime in November." He added that Slovenia would have top experts do the training, so needed to complete it before beginning the EU Presidency. The members of the core group would then return to their home countries where they would be available on short notice. Slovenia would handle all logistics and support for the two-day training in Slovenia (but would not pay for lodging). According to Vidovic, Slovenia's Ministry of Interior is working with German partners on a bigger idea, which would build on this initial training, to establish a common training center for the majority of EU personnel going to Kosovo. ¶3. (C) Vidovic acknowledged the divisions within the EU about the ESDP Rule of law Mission because of the concern it would affect status talks. However, he said that Slovenia continues to prepare for post-December 10. He estimated that Slovenia would send 15-20 police to the ESDP Mission, one or two judges/prosecutors, and some people from Customs. ¶4. (C) Comment: Slovenia continues to focus on the Western Balkans as it prepares for its EU Presidency. Although pressed from both Kosovo and Serbia, GOS officials stress that they are realistic and will do what is necessary. They tell us that they might not be in the lead when it comes to recognizing an independent Kosovo, but will be in the middle of the pack. But Slovenia's proactive stance in preparing the Rule of Law Mission for deployment to Kosovo shows that it is capable of playing a helpful leadership role in the region. COLEMAN