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