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