NORWAY TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO

C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000093 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/20/2018 TAGS: PREL UN UNMIK PGOV KV NO SUBJECT: NORWAY TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO REF: STATE 16319 Classified By: Charge de Affairs Kevin M. Johnson for reasons 1.4 b and d ¶1. (U) The Norwegian MFA informed Charge that Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere would announce Norway's intension of recognizing Kosovo's declaration of independence during a press conference at 12:00 on February 20. Formal recognition would occur after a cabinet meeting to be held next week, approximately on February 28 or 29. ¶2. (C) Stating that recognition was the best of several bad choices, the Norwegian MFA representative praised both Kosovar and Serbian authorities for responsible actions and statements in Kosovo, specifically the Kosovar commitment to follow all the provisions of the Ahtisarri plan and the Serbian decision to keep the borders open and continue subsidies to Serbs living in Kosovo. The Security situation in Belgrade was more worrying and the MFA is concerned about the safety of its embassy as well as Norwegian business interests in Serbia. Telenor, Norway's largest mobile phone company, has extensive business interests in Serbia. The GON will continue its assistance programs in Serbia and will increase its assistance to Kosovo by 30 million NOK ($6.5 million). ¶3. (C) Commenting on the Spanish reaction, the Norwegians were surprised at the hard words coming from Madrid. Deputy FM Elisabeth Walass visited Madrid a few weeks earlier and was told that Spain would wait until after its elections to recognize Kosovo, most likely around March 9. FM Moratino's declaration that Kosovo's independence was "illegal" made Norway wonder where Spain really stood. JOHNSON