Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LJUBLJANA515
2008-11-18 16:53:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ljubljana
Cable title:
SLOVENIA SUPPORTS CROATIA'S ACCESSION TO THE EU -
how-toVZCZCXRO3886 PP RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHLJ #0515 3231653 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 181653Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7039 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000515
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/CE, EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/18/2018
TAGS: PREL EUN PBTS HR SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA SUPPORTS CROATIA'S ACCESSION TO THE EU -
BUT INSISTS NO PREJUDGEMENT OF BORDER ISSUES
REF: A. ZAGREB 785
B. ZAGREB 762
Classified By: Amb. Yousif B. Ghafari, Reasons 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000515
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/CE, EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/18/2018
TAGS: PREL EUN PBTS HR SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA SUPPORTS CROATIA'S ACCESSION TO THE EU -
BUT INSISTS NO PREJUDGEMENT OF BORDER ISSUES
REF: A. ZAGREB 785
B. ZAGREB 762
Classified By: Amb. Yousif B. Ghafari, Reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (U) In a video interview posted on-line November 14, PM
Pahor's candidate for Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel
Zbogar, stated that Slovenia's position regarding Croatia's
EU accession would not change with the incoming government.
According to Zbogar, Slovenia supports Croatia's accession,
but "what matters is that no action taken by Croatia in
accession talks may harm Slovenia's interests in the eventual
resolution" of the Croatia/Slovenia border dispute. Zbogar's
interview followed recent press stories explaining that
Slovenia had requested that Croatia withdraw from its EU
accession package any documents or references that "prejudge
the border" determination. Because Croatia did not do so,
Slovenia did not consent to open new negotiating chapters.
2. (C) Head of the MFA's Division of Division for
Southeastern Europe Leon Marc stressed to Emboff that
Slovenia supported Croatia's accession; however, Slovenia
could not let Croatia use its EU accession process to try to
further its case in what was a bilateral dispute. Marc said
that Slovenia would "be delighted" for the chapters to be
opened - as soon as Croatia withdrew the offending documents.
He noted that the ball was in Croatia's court to respond to
Slovenia's request, which had been made some time ago.
Comment
--------------
3. (C) Slovenian contacts have acknowledged that Slovenia did
not tell its side of the story well with regard to its
withholding consent to open new chapters. This is probably
due to Slovenia's transition to a new government. However,
the statement from incoming Minister Zbogar affirming the
former government's position is clear. Zbogar's statement
underscores that Slovenia would be very unlikely to bend to
any pressure brought to bear by other EU member-states on
what Slovenia views as a bilateral issue. Slovenes view
Croatia as trying to use the EU process to gain ground in the
long-standing bilateral dispute. The Slovenes, on the other
hand, are essentially asking that references to the border be
placed -- metaphorically -- in brackets. Post recommends not
getting involved in the issue at this time.
GHAFARI
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/CE, EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/18/2018
TAGS: PREL EUN PBTS HR SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA SUPPORTS CROATIA'S ACCESSION TO THE EU -
BUT INSISTS NO PREJUDGEMENT OF BORDER ISSUES
REF: A. ZAGREB 785
B. ZAGREB 762
Classified By: Amb. Yousif B. Ghafari, Reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (U) In a video interview posted on-line November 14, PM
Pahor's candidate for Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel
Zbogar, stated that Slovenia's position regarding Croatia's
EU accession would not change with the incoming government.
According to Zbogar, Slovenia supports Croatia's accession,
but "what matters is that no action taken by Croatia in
accession talks may harm Slovenia's interests in the eventual
resolution" of the Croatia/Slovenia border dispute. Zbogar's
interview followed recent press stories explaining that
Slovenia had requested that Croatia withdraw from its EU
accession package any documents or references that "prejudge
the border" determination. Because Croatia did not do so,
Slovenia did not consent to open new negotiating chapters.
2. (C) Head of the MFA's Division of Division for
Southeastern Europe Leon Marc stressed to Emboff that
Slovenia supported Croatia's accession; however, Slovenia
could not let Croatia use its EU accession process to try to
further its case in what was a bilateral dispute. Marc said
that Slovenia would "be delighted" for the chapters to be
opened - as soon as Croatia withdrew the offending documents.
He noted that the ball was in Croatia's court to respond to
Slovenia's request, which had been made some time ago.
Comment
--------------
3. (C) Slovenian contacts have acknowledged that Slovenia did
not tell its side of the story well with regard to its
withholding consent to open new chapters. This is probably
due to Slovenia's transition to a new government. However,
the statement from incoming Minister Zbogar affirming the
former government's position is clear. Zbogar's statement
underscores that Slovenia would be very unlikely to bend to
any pressure brought to bear by other EU member-states on
what Slovenia views as a bilateral issue. Slovenes view
Croatia as trying to use the EU process to gain ground in the
long-standing bilateral dispute. The Slovenes, on the other
hand, are essentially asking that references to the border be
placed -- metaphorically -- in brackets. Post recommends not
getting involved in the issue at this time.
GHAFARI