Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08SOFIA180
2008-03-27 10:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Sofia
Cable title:
BULGARIA ON THE WESTERN BALKANS AND RUSSIA IN
how-toVZCZCXYZ0076 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHSF #0180 0871055 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 271055Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY SOFIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4876 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
UNCLAS SOFIA 000180
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIA ON THE WESTERN BALKANS AND RUSSIA IN
ADVANCE OF GYMNICH
REF: SECSTATE 30504
UNCLAS SOFIA 000180
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIA ON THE WESTERN BALKANS AND RUSSIA IN
ADVANCE OF GYMNICH
REF: SECSTATE 30504
1. (U) On March 26 we delivered REFTEL points to MFA's
European Correspondent Sergei Tassev. Tassev thanked us for
the points and said Bulgaria wanted the EU to maintain
engagement with the Western Balkans, encouraging their future
membership in Trans-Atlantic institutions. The EU needs to
give serious signals about the European integration of all
the Western Balkans, including Serbia. The Serbs, in turn,
should make serious pledges that they seek European
integration, but it would be difficult in the run-up to the
May parliamentary elections. When asked if Bulgaria
experienced any Serbian retaliation since Bulgaria's
recognition of Kosovo, Tassev said that the Serbian reaction
was better than expected, and that bi-lateral economic
relations were "business as usual." Tassev said Kostunica
has been reassuring the Bulgarians that economic relations
would remain normal.
2. (U) Tassev said that the EU needs a new common position
for EU-Russian relations, especially on energy. Tassev also
noted that the GYMNICH is becoming more formalized, and
members do not talk freely as they previously did.
Beyrle
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIA ON THE WESTERN BALKANS AND RUSSIA IN
ADVANCE OF GYMNICH
REF: SECSTATE 30504
1. (U) On March 26 we delivered REFTEL points to MFA's
European Correspondent Sergei Tassev. Tassev thanked us for
the points and said Bulgaria wanted the EU to maintain
engagement with the Western Balkans, encouraging their future
membership in Trans-Atlantic institutions. The EU needs to
give serious signals about the European integration of all
the Western Balkans, including Serbia. The Serbs, in turn,
should make serious pledges that they seek European
integration, but it would be difficult in the run-up to the
May parliamentary elections. When asked if Bulgaria
experienced any Serbian retaliation since Bulgaria's
recognition of Kosovo, Tassev said that the Serbian reaction
was better than expected, and that bi-lateral economic
relations were "business as usual." Tassev said Kostunica
has been reassuring the Bulgarians that economic relations
would remain normal.
2. (U) Tassev said that the EU needs a new common position
for EU-Russian relations, especially on energy. Tassev also
noted that the GYMNICH is becoming more formalized, and
members do not talk freely as they previously did.
Beyrle