CORRECTED COPY: SERBS TO BULGARIA: "DON'T

C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 001398

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D COPY: (1) ADDRESSEE (SECSTATE) ADDED,
(2) NAME CORRECTION IN PARAGRAPH 3

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV ENRG KV SR BU
SUBJECT: CORRECTED COPY: SERBS TO BULGARIA: "DON'T
RECOGNIZE KOSOVO, AT LEAST DON'T BE FIRST"

Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Jim Bigus for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)


1. (C) On December 21 MFA West Balkans Director Tulechki
briefed us on Bulgaria's recent Kosovo moves, starting with
FM Kalfin's visit to Belgrade early the week of December 17.
Kalfin met Tadic, Jeremic, Vice PM Jelic, but not any
hardliners. The Serbs at first asked Bulgaria not to
recognize Kosovo, then backed off and asked, "as a neighbor,"
at least not be among the first to recognize. Tadic asked
Kalfin to be careful with the use of the word "independence"
in public statements, which was why Kalfin stated publicly
that Bulgaria would not recognize unilateral declaration of
independence (and not saying it would recognize a coordinated
declaration). Tadic was grateful for this formulation and
said it would help him internally. The Serbs also discussed
South Stream pipeline border crossing issues (the Bulgarians
are pressing the Russians on where South Stream would exit
Bulgarian territory). Belgrade also raised interest in
building a nuclear power plant in Bulgaria that would provide
power to Serbia. (Comment: This is the first we have heard
of this.) The Serbs have the funds but the public is against
having the plant in Serbia.


2. (C) For the tripartite meeting with Greece and Romania
on Kosovo on December 22, Tulechki said the Greeks sent a
draft joint statement calling for no change in borders and
fast track/no conditions Serb EU membership. The Bulgarians
struck the borders language, Tulechki said, calling it
"language from the Helsinki time," and added conditions to
the EU membership language. Tulechki said Political Director
Poriazov, who was posted in Greece, "will convince them to
change." (Note: In a separate meeting the PM's diplomatic
advisor said that EU membership for Serbia should happen --
it's necessary for regional stability -- but it should not be
given, the Serbs should earn it by meeting EU standards and
conditions.)


3. (C) On Bulgaria's direct engagement with Kosovo,
Tulechki said the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce will issue an
invitation to its Kosovo counterpart, the Albanian Business
Forum, to send a delegation to Sofia in early February to
discuss Bulgarian assistance. The assistance will be small
scale (trucks, generators) but Kosovars welcome it. The GOB
is also talking with moderate Kosovo Serb Bishop Teodosije
about Bulgarian assistance to renovate and restore Orthodox
sites in Kosovo, which are in bad shape. Tulechki said the
Bulgarians are experts at renovation and the Kosovo Serbs
will be grateful. FM will visit Pristina on January 27 and
meet Thaci. The Kosovar parliament may be in session and if
so, will likely invite Kalfin to address it. The Bulgarians
will consider any such request very cautiously.


4. (C) Comment: The Bulgarians are maintaining their
activism on Kosovo right through the holiday season,
reflecting the depth of their concern. Kosovo is the likely
first topic for FM Kalfin's meeting with the Secretary on
January 4.


Beyrle