KOSOVO: SERBIAN FM JEREMIC PRESSES ATHENS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000426 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/18/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV SR YI KV GR MK SUBJECT: KOSOVO: SERBIAN FM JEREMIC PRESSES ATHENS Classified By: A/Political Counselor Jeff Hovenier for 1.4 (b) and (d) -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) In a "surprise" short visit to Athens March 19, Serbian FM Jeremic asked that Greece continue not to recognize Kosovo's independence. In public statements he appealed for no further recognitions of Kosovo independence and criticized the decision by Croatia, Hungary, and Bulgaria to recognize Kosovo, adding that countries that take such steps "cannot have good ties with Serbia." FM Bakoyannis publicly emphasized the importance Greece attaches to Serbia's path to Europe. She also reiterated GOG criticism of statements by Macedonian FM Milososki March 18. End Summary. -------------- A "Surprise" Visitor -------------- ¶2. (C) Serbian FM Jeremic made a "surprise" visit to Athens March 19, meeting with FM Bakoyannis at the Foreign Ministry. Ambassador Eleftherios Angelopoulos, Director of MFA A3 Directorate for Southeast Europe, told us that Jeremic requested the visit "just two days ago." Jeremic's agenda was apparently limited to a request that Greece continue not to recognize Kosovo independence. Angelopoulos said MFA papers hastily prepared for FM Bakoyannis focused on just two issues: Kosovo and Serbia's European perspective. ¶3. (SBU) The meeting was small, and the working levels of the MFA do not yet have any readout. However, following the meeting, the two Ministers made comments to the press (Note: The Greek press is not currently reporting this story as all Greek media outlets ) radio, television, and print ) are participating in a general strike March 19 to protest Government plans to reform social security. End Note). Angelopoulos gave us the following summary of their public remarks: Bakoyannis -------------- -- Serbia must not lose sight of its European perspective. Greece is a strong supporter of this perspective. -- Greece regrets recent events in Mitrovica and urges restraint. Jeremic -------------- -- Serbia needs to maintain its European path, and the May elections are critical in this regard. -- Serbia does not accept Kosovo's declaration of independence, and appreciates that Greece has not recognized Kosovo. -- The decision by Croatia, Hungary, and Bulgaria to recognize Kosovo was not in conformity with international law. Serbia expects its neighboring countries to help Serbia resolve this issue in a manner that is positive for regional stability. He later added, "don't do it. Countries that take this decision cannot have good ties with Serbia . . . Do not touch on the sovereignty of Serbia by recognizing Kosovo." -- Serbia's view of the illegality of Kosovo independence will not change, regardless of who wins the May elections. -------------- Reaction to Macedonian FM Comments -------------- ¶4. (SBU) In her public remarks, FM Bakoyannis also reiterated the GOG's negative view of March 18 comments by Macedonian FM Milososki to the effect that none of the names put forward by UN Special Envoy Nimetz at last week's Vienna meeting was an acceptable basis for negotiations. Recalling an earlier statement by Foreign Ministry Spokesman Koumoutsakos that these statements "confirm the absolute intransigence of the other side," Bakoyannis added that these statements were "not positive or in the spirit of compromise" that is required to reach a solution. SPECKHARD