Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08SKOPJE558
2008-09-04 05:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Skopje
Cable title:
MACEDONIA DETERMINED TO SIGN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHSQ #0558 2480524 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 040524Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY SKOPJE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7657 INFO RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 0213 RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 1843
C O N F I D E N T I A L SKOPJE 000558
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE AND EUR/SE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV GR TU MK
SUBJECT: MACEDONIA DETERMINED TO SIGN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
WITH TURKEY
Ref: A) STATE 92018
B) ANKARA 1572
CLASSIFIED BY: CDA Tom Navratil for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SKOPJE 000558
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE AND EUR/SE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV GR TU MK
SUBJECT: MACEDONIA DETERMINED TO SIGN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
WITH TURKEY
Ref: A) STATE 92018
B) ANKARA 1572
CLASSIFIED BY: CDA Tom Navratil for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Charge called on FonMin Milososki Sept. 3 to press on ref a
demarche asking Macedonia to postpone signing a strategic partnership
agreement with Turkey. While the U.S. welcomes such an agreement and
strong Macedonia-Turkey ties, the timing -- just prior to UNGA and
with the Nimetz process at a critical stage -- would unavoidably feed
Greek fears that its two neighbors were forming a sinister alliance
against it, making it that much more difficult to achieve success in
the name talks. This -- combined with other GoM actions such as its
letter campaigns related to the Macedonian minority in Greece -- is
creating a view in Washington and other capitals that Macedonia is
not being constructive.
2. (C) Milososki responded that the agreement is a done deal: the
only reasons it was not signed earlier were related to domestic
political problems in Turkey. PMs Erdogan and Gruevski have
discussed it and agreed their FonMins should sign it during
Milososki's upcoming visit to Ankara (other MFA sources here tell us
the date is Sept. 17).
3. (C) While Milososki agreed to convey our concerns to Gruevski, he
strongly defended the agreement, asserting that its substance is
innocuous, Greece-Turkey ties are improving anyway, and that the deal
should only inspire Athens to seek better ties with Skopje, which he
would welcome. He said the GoM would consider making a public
statement that they would like to sign a similar agreement with
Greece when possible. Milososki agreed to consider taking other steps
to ameliorate Greek concerns, such as sending his ambassador in
Athens in to MFA the day of the signing to present the document and
respond to Greek concerns. Charge responded that while a
postponement would be far better, such steps to reach out to the
Greek side would probably help somewhat.
NAVRATIL
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE AND EUR/SE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV GR TU MK
SUBJECT: MACEDONIA DETERMINED TO SIGN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
WITH TURKEY
Ref: A) STATE 92018
B) ANKARA 1572
CLASSIFIED BY: CDA Tom Navratil for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Charge called on FonMin Milososki Sept. 3 to press on ref a
demarche asking Macedonia to postpone signing a strategic partnership
agreement with Turkey. While the U.S. welcomes such an agreement and
strong Macedonia-Turkey ties, the timing -- just prior to UNGA and
with the Nimetz process at a critical stage -- would unavoidably feed
Greek fears that its two neighbors were forming a sinister alliance
against it, making it that much more difficult to achieve success in
the name talks. This -- combined with other GoM actions such as its
letter campaigns related to the Macedonian minority in Greece -- is
creating a view in Washington and other capitals that Macedonia is
not being constructive.
2. (C) Milososki responded that the agreement is a done deal: the
only reasons it was not signed earlier were related to domestic
political problems in Turkey. PMs Erdogan and Gruevski have
discussed it and agreed their FonMins should sign it during
Milososki's upcoming visit to Ankara (other MFA sources here tell us
the date is Sept. 17).
3. (C) While Milososki agreed to convey our concerns to Gruevski, he
strongly defended the agreement, asserting that its substance is
innocuous, Greece-Turkey ties are improving anyway, and that the deal
should only inspire Athens to seek better ties with Skopje, which he
would welcome. He said the GoM would consider making a public
statement that they would like to sign a similar agreement with
Greece when possible. Milososki agreed to consider taking other steps
to ameliorate Greek concerns, such as sending his ambassador in
Athens in to MFA the day of the signing to present the document and
respond to Greek concerns. Charge responded that while a
postponement would be far better, such steps to reach out to the
Greek side would probably help somewhat.
NAVRATIL