Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BUDAPEST183
2008-02-21 06:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Budapest
Cable title:
HUNGARY ON MACEDONIA'S NATO ASPIRATIONS AND NAME
how-toVZCZCXRO3301 RR RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHUP #0183 0520635 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 210635Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2540 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0101
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000183
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/NCE MARC NORDBERG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2018
TAGS: NATO PREL GR MK HU MARR
SUBJECT: HUNGARY ON MACEDONIA'S NATO ASPIRATIONS AND NAME
DISPUTE WITH GREECE
REF: SECSTATE 14821
Classified By: POL/ECON Counselor Eric Gaudiosi, reasons 1.4 (b and d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000183
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/NCE MARC NORDBERG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2018
TAGS: NATO PREL GR MK HU MARR
SUBJECT: HUNGARY ON MACEDONIA'S NATO ASPIRATIONS AND NAME
DISPUTE WITH GREECE
REF: SECSTATE 14821
Classified By: POL/ECON Counselor Eric Gaudiosi, reasons 1.4 (b and d)
1. (C) Marianne Berecz, SE Europe, Western Balkans and CIS
Department Head and Gabor Horvath, Deputy Security and
Non-Proliferation Department Head, discussed reftel with
PolOff on January 15. Ambassador Berecz underlined Hungary's
support for the Nimetz process, commenting that Greece's
approach on the name issue, in particular, is very inflexible
and unhelpful. While noting that Macedonia's actions
contribute to the current stalemate, the Hungarian message to
the Greeks stresses the importance of regional stability,
commenting that "Hungary did not use bi-lateral issues with
Romania in voting to support Romania's NATO membership" and
the Greeks should not let the name dispute issue carry the
day in their decision, either Continuing, Berecz noted that
Greece has already "bought" Macedonia through significant
business investment, and a "no" vote on Macedonian NATO
membership would not be in Greece's best economic interest.
2. (C) Horvath commented that, while performance-based
criteria were important for aspiring NATO members, broader,
regional stability considerations are very important for
Hungarians as well. He expressed appreciation for U.S.
support for the most ambitious enlargement round possible at
the Bucharest summit, stating Hungary believes all three
candidate countries should receive invitations. Continuing,
Horvath noted that Hungary supports the efforts of Special
Envoy Nimetz, and they are not "in the midst" of any
negotiations on the name issue between Macedonia and Greece.
That said, Horvath noted that they have discussed the issue
with Macedonia to try and convince them to find a compromise
so that "they do not exclude themselves" from receiving an
invitation. He also stated that the MFA has discussed the
issue with Greece, encouraging them to "be more liberal" with
Macedonia on the issue. Horvath said that the Macedonian
Foreign Minister and Prime Minister are scheduled to visit
Hungary before the March 6 informal Ministerials and the name
dispute issue would be an agenda item.
LEVINE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/NCE MARC NORDBERG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2018
TAGS: NATO PREL GR MK HU MARR
SUBJECT: HUNGARY ON MACEDONIA'S NATO ASPIRATIONS AND NAME
DISPUTE WITH GREECE
REF: SECSTATE 14821
Classified By: POL/ECON Counselor Eric Gaudiosi, reasons 1.4 (b and d)
1. (C) Marianne Berecz, SE Europe, Western Balkans and CIS
Department Head and Gabor Horvath, Deputy Security and
Non-Proliferation Department Head, discussed reftel with
PolOff on January 15. Ambassador Berecz underlined Hungary's
support for the Nimetz process, commenting that Greece's
approach on the name issue, in particular, is very inflexible
and unhelpful. While noting that Macedonia's actions
contribute to the current stalemate, the Hungarian message to
the Greeks stresses the importance of regional stability,
commenting that "Hungary did not use bi-lateral issues with
Romania in voting to support Romania's NATO membership" and
the Greeks should not let the name dispute issue carry the
day in their decision, either Continuing, Berecz noted that
Greece has already "bought" Macedonia through significant
business investment, and a "no" vote on Macedonian NATO
membership would not be in Greece's best economic interest.
2. (C) Horvath commented that, while performance-based
criteria were important for aspiring NATO members, broader,
regional stability considerations are very important for
Hungarians as well. He expressed appreciation for U.S.
support for the most ambitious enlargement round possible at
the Bucharest summit, stating Hungary believes all three
candidate countries should receive invitations. Continuing,
Horvath noted that Hungary supports the efforts of Special
Envoy Nimetz, and they are not "in the midst" of any
negotiations on the name issue between Macedonia and Greece.
That said, Horvath noted that they have discussed the issue
with Macedonia to try and convince them to find a compromise
so that "they do not exclude themselves" from receiving an
invitation. He also stated that the MFA has discussed the
issue with Greece, encouraging them to "be more liberal" with
Macedonia on the issue. Horvath said that the Macedonian
Foreign Minister and Prime Minister are scheduled to visit
Hungary before the March 6 informal Ministerials and the name
dispute issue would be an agenda item.
LEVINE