Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ATHENS336
2008-03-07 10:31:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Athens
Cable title:
SLOVAKIA PM FICO VISITS ATHENS/KOSOVO ON THE AGENDA
how-toVZCZCXRO8252 OO RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHTH #0336 0671031 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 071031Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHD IMMEDIATE 1381 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000336
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL GR LO KV YI
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA PM FICO VISITS ATHENS/KOSOVO ON THE AGENDA
Classified By: A/Political Counselor Jeff Hovenier for 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000336
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL GR LO KV YI
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA PM FICO VISITS ATHENS/KOSOVO ON THE AGENDA
Classified By: A/Political Counselor Jeff Hovenier for 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (SBU) Slovak PM Robert Fico paid a one-day visit to Athens
March 3, meeting with President Papoulias, PM Karamanlis, and
Foreign Minister Bakoyannis. According to Greek MFA
officials, this visit had been planned for "several months."
2. (U) In public statements, the two PMs said they had
discussed economic relations, how to increase bilateral
tourism, potential defense industry cooperation, and Kosovo.
3. (C) Fico's comments following his meeting with Karamanlis
to the effect that Kosovo's declaration of independence was
"a violation of international law that could spark a chain
reaction," received wide coverage. PM Karamanlis' diplomatic
advisor Marina Skordeli told us that Fico had pressed
Karamanlis on the question of recognition of Kosovo. Fico
told Karamanlis that Slovakia will "never recognize" an
independent Kosovo. According to Skordeli, Karamanlis was
more circumspect on the issue, as he recognizes that "Greek
recognition must occur sometime, but not right now." In his
joint press availability with Fico, Karamanlis emphasized
that Greece will decide on recognition without "haste and
pressure.
SPECKHARD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL GR LO KV YI
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA PM FICO VISITS ATHENS/KOSOVO ON THE AGENDA
Classified By: A/Political Counselor Jeff Hovenier for 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (SBU) Slovak PM Robert Fico paid a one-day visit to Athens
March 3, meeting with President Papoulias, PM Karamanlis, and
Foreign Minister Bakoyannis. According to Greek MFA
officials, this visit had been planned for "several months."
2. (U) In public statements, the two PMs said they had
discussed economic relations, how to increase bilateral
tourism, potential defense industry cooperation, and Kosovo.
3. (C) Fico's comments following his meeting with Karamanlis
to the effect that Kosovo's declaration of independence was
"a violation of international law that could spark a chain
reaction," received wide coverage. PM Karamanlis' diplomatic
advisor Marina Skordeli told us that Fico had pressed
Karamanlis on the question of recognition of Kosovo. Fico
told Karamanlis that Slovakia will "never recognize" an
independent Kosovo. According to Skordeli, Karamanlis was
more circumspect on the issue, as he recognizes that "Greek
recognition must occur sometime, but not right now." In his
joint press availability with Fico, Karamanlis emphasized
that Greece will decide on recognition without "haste and
pressure.
SPECKHARD