BULGARIANS EXPECT LITTLE FLEXIBILITY ON MACEDONIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 000191 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/01/2018 TAGS: NATO PREL PGOV MK GR BU SUBJECT: BULGARIANS EXPECT LITTLE FLEXIBILITY ON MACEDONIA NAME ISSUE REF: STATE 32646 Classified By: DCM Alex Karagiannis for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) In the temporary absence of FM Kalfin and Deputy FM Kuychukov, DCM had an extended discussion with Political Director Poriyazov, encouraging Bulgaria to push Athens to aim higher and achieve agreement with Skopje. Poriyazov acknowledged that flexibility was necessary to achieve a mutually acceptable solution on the Macedonia name issue, while noting the extremely difficult political situation of the Greek government. Poriyazov had been stationed in Athens when then-PM Mitsotakis (father of FM Bakoyianni) fell over the Macedonia name issue in the early 1990's. He did not expect much from Athens given that both ND and PASOK have staked out adamantine positions. Poriyazov also noted that some of Athens's concerns about irredentist statements and sentiments on the part of some Macedonians were valid, and shared by Bulgaria. Poriyazov undertook to brief FM Kalfin immediately on our points. ¶2. (C) Speaking personally, Poriyazov floated the idea that "Nova Macedonia" would be acceptable and accepted name if Allies pushed both Athens and Skopje in that direction. Other Allies have quietly signaled they could accept this, and Bulgaria understands that some in Macedonia may favor it as a way to end the impasse. Beyrle