ESTONIAN FOREIGN MINISTER TO DISCUSS MACEDONIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L TALLINN 000146 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/24/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL NATO MK GR EN SUBJECT: ESTONIAN FOREIGN MINISTER TO DISCUSS MACEDONIA NAME ISSUE WITH GREECE Classified by: DCM Karen Decker for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) REF: STATE 40462 ¶1. (C) On April 21, Poloff met with Kaili Terras, NATO Desk Officer, and Bjorn Piibur, Western Balkans Desk Officer at the Estonian MFA to discuss the Macedonia name issue, as requested in reftel. The MFA echoed the position it has taken in our previous conversations: the name issue is a "difficult" situation in which to intervene, the two sides must resolve it amongst themselves and Estonia would like to see it resolved quickly. However, Terras noted that Foreign Minister Paet is traveling to Greece May 12, and intends to address this topic during his discussions with Greek officials. ¶2. (C) Comment: While it is encouraging that FM Paet plans to raise the issue while in Athens, our expectations are low. This has simply not been a priority for the GOE and it is unlikely Paet will press the issue. PHILLIPS