SLOVENIA ENCOURAGES GREECE AND MACEDONIA TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000188 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO GR MK SI SUBJECT: SLOVENIA ENCOURAGES GREECE AND MACEDONIA TO RESOLVE NAME ISSUE QUICKLY REF: STATE 40462 Classified By: CDA Maryruth Coleman for reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C) On April 22, Emboffs met with MFA Security Policy Division official Darja Golez to deliver reftel points asking Slovenia to urge Greek leadership to renew its commitment and exert greater flexibility in negotiating a solution to the Macedonia name issue. Golez stressed that Slovenia strongly supports extending an invitation to Macedonia to join NATO. Golez stated that the GOS would use its influence to encourage both parties to continue to move forward on the name issue as quickly as possible. She admitted, however, that she was not aware of any plans for high-level bilateral talks on the issue between Slovenia and Greece. ¶2. (C) Golez noted that the GOS was very disappointed that Greece had changed the rules of the game at the last minute by refusing to follow the principles laid out in the 1995 agreement. She also stated that Greece's use of its veto power sent a poor message to Macedonia and other potential members. Looking forward, she said that Slovenia had signed a letter along with other NATO members that petitioned for continued talks. She also stated that the GOS hoped a negotiated solution could be agreed to quickly, allowing Macedonia to stay on the same track for NATO membership as Albania and Croatia. COLEMAN