ECUADOR DEMARCHE RESPONSE: KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000395 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2016 TAGS: PREL UN UNMIK EC KV YI SUBJECT: ECUADOR DEMARCHE RESPONSE: KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE LOBBYING REF: A. STATE 41979 ¶B. QUITO 165 ¶C. QUITO 158 ¶D. QUITO 146 Classified By: DCM Jefferson Brown for Reasons 1.4 (b&d) ¶1. (U) See Action Request in Para. 4. ¶2. (C) In February, although President Correa indicated that Ecuador would recognize Kosovo, Vice Foreign Minister Jose Valencia told the DCM that the GOE wanted to work within a Latin American consensus position and was attempting to consult with regional nations (Ref B). Thus far, no consensus has been established in the region. Post does not believe that Ecuador will make any commitment ahead of a consensus by GRULAC unless convinced by governments with more influence than the USG. ¶3. (SBU) President Correa announced on April 17 that he is planning a trip to Europe in early May (exact itinerary not yet announced). Of the countries that Correa will likely visit, Belgium and France have recognized Kosovo, while Spain has not. We believe Brussels and Paris raising the issue with Correa would be our best chance by far of persuading the GOE to move forward on recognition. Post will provide exact travel dates as soon as available. Post will also raise the issue with the GOE when an opportunity presents itself, but does not believe approaching the GOE specifically for this purpose would be productive in the current political climate. ¶4. (C) ACTION REQUEST: Post recommends that the Department instruct Embassies Brussels and Paris to urge host governments to demarche Correa on Kosovo recognition during his visit in May. Jewell