MACEDONIA: BUILDING TIES WITH KOSOVO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SKOPJE 000404

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/SCE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MK
SUBJECT: MACEDONIA: BUILDING TIES WITH KOSOVO


SUMMARY


1. (SBU) During his May 17 visit to Pristina, PM Gruevski
reiterated Macedonia's support for the Ahtisaari plan and for
a UNSCR that would allow for implementation of that plan.
Gruevski had constructive talks with Kosovo PM Ceku and other
Kosovar officials on demarcation of the Kosovo-Macedonia
border, pressed for strengthened commercial and investment
ties with Kosovo, and offered to share with his counterparts
Macedonia's experience with decentralization and
consolidating stability in a multi-ethnic democracy. The
visit was a constructive step in the GOM's plan to bolster
ties with Pristina, but could hurt ties with Belgrade if
Serbia sees Macedonia as leaning too far forward in its
relations with Kosovo. End summary.

PM GRUEVSKI'S FIRST VISIT TO PRISTINA


2. (U) On May 17, Prime Minister Gruevski made his first
official visit to Pristina since taking office in September

2006. PM Gruevski was accompanied by Deputy PM for Framework
Agreement Implementation Imer Aliu, Deputy PM for Education
and Agriculture Zivko Jankulovski, and government spokesman
Veton Ibrahimi. The Macedonian delegation met separately
with PM Ceku, President Sejdiu, and UNMIK Chief Joachim
Ruecker. The meetings focused on the GOM's continued support
for the Ahtisaari plan, and on strengthening cooperation
between Skopje and Pristina.

SUPPORT FOR AHTISAARI PLAN AND UNSCR


3. (SBU) GOM delegation members reported that the meetings
were "friendly and productive." PM Gruevski reiterated the
GOM's support for the Ahtisaari plan, and his hope that a UN
Security Council Resolution in support of the plan would be
passed soon. In the absence of a UNSCR, Gruevski stated,
Macedonia would follow the U.S. and EU lead on Kosovo's
future status. Gruevski also told his interlocutors that a
quick resolution of Kosovo's status would serve to increase
stability, security, and economic growth in the region. PM
Ceku thanked Gruevski for the GOM's continued support for the
Ahtisaari plan, according to contacts in Gruevski's cabinet.

CONSTRUCTIVE TALKS ON BORDER DEMARCATION


4. (SBU) Gruevski and his delegation reported that they had
constructive talks with their counterparts on the issue of
demarcation of the border between Macedonia and Kosovo, a
past point of contention between the two governments. PM
Ceku, who earlier had resisted accepting the border-related
language contained in the Ahtisaari plan, reportedly told
Gruevski that Pristina is prepared to move ahead with the
demarcation as outlined in the Ahtisaari plan.

BOOSTING INVESTMENT AND TRADE TIES


5. (U) Focusing on the GOM's goal of increasing investment
and economic growth in Macedonia, Gruevski told PM Ceku that
once Kosovo's status is determined, Pristina and Skopje
should work together to increase foreign investment in both
countries. Gruevski said foreign investors had been leery of
committing to large-scale investment in Macedonia because of
the uncertain future of Kosovo; once status was determined,
he expected the interest of foreign investors in the region
would increase and both nations could work together to foster
investment interest and boost economic growth.

SHARING DECENTRALIZATION AND MULTI-ETHNIC DEMOCRACY
EXPERIENCES


6. (U) GOM officials offered to share with their Kosovar
counterparts Macedonia's experiences with decentralization,
and with building a functioning multi-ethnic democratic
state. PM Ceku reportedly said he would welcome advice from
Macedonia on decentralization and on the reforms required for
NATO and EU membership. Ceku told Gruevski he looked forward
to strengthening bilateral relations with Macedonia; Ceku
currently is scheduled to pay an official visit to Skopje on
June 2, according to PM Gruevski's Chief of Staff.

COMMENT


7. (SBU) PM Gruevski's first official visit to Pristina,

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coming several months after former Deputy PM Selmani's visit
to Pristina in late 2006, marks an additional positive step
by the current government to strengthen ties with Kosovo.
Gruevski clearly sees the benefit of fostering positive
relations with Macedonia's northern neighbor and hopes his
efforts will pay off in more robust commercial ties with
Pristina. This ambitious approach could, however, cost him
in terms of negative fallout from Serbia, if Belgrade sees
Macedonia leaning too far forward leaning in its relations
with Kosovo.
WOHLERS