Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08VALLETTA227
2008-06-02 14:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Valletta
Cable title:
MALTA: FOREIGN MINISTER PUNTS ON KOSOVO RECOGNITION
how-toVZCZCXRO8915 OO RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHVT #0227 1541429 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 021429Z JUN 08 FM AMEMBASSY VALLETTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1593 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES IMMEDIATE RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO IMMEDIATE 0054 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE IMMEDIATE 0019 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0027
C O N F I D E N T I A L VALLETTA 000227
SIPDIS
EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV UN UNMIK MT
SUBJECT: MALTA: FOREIGN MINISTER PUNTS ON KOSOVO RECOGNITION
REF: A.
C O N F I D E N T I A L VALLETTA 000227
SIPDIS
EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV UN UNMIK MT
SUBJECT: MALTA: FOREIGN MINISTER PUNTS ON KOSOVO RECOGNITION
REF: A. 1. VALLETTA 0056
B. 2. STATE 13716
C. 3. 07 VALLETTA 470
Classified By: DCM Jason Davis; reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) In a May 30 meeting, Ambassador asked new Minister of
Foreign Affairs Tonio Borg for an update regarding GoM
recognition of Kosovo. The Ambassador reminded the FM that
he had earlier (Ref A) told us Malta could recognize Kosovo
only after the FM had had a chance to brief Parliament,s
European and Foreign Affairs Committee, which at that point
had not been formed. The committee had now been formed, so
where did things stand?
2. (C) Borg confirmed that the committee had been formed
several days previously, but said that it would hold its
first meeting only "by the end of June." Kosovo would
definitely be discussed at that first meeting, Borg promised,
adding "I think we will recognize Kosovo -- that it's not so
much a question of 'if' as 'when'." But no formal decision
could be taken until the committee briefing had taken place.
On the timing of a possible GoM recognition of Kosovo, Borg
said that "since the government is going to be formed in
September" of this year, "we will likely do it then," though
he added that he did not view September as a deadline.
3. (C) The Ambassador impressed upon the FM the importance of
Malta taking a stance as soon as possible, but this merely
prompted the FM to launch into a discussion of the downsides
of recognition. "Why should we irritate a friendly, pro-EU
government in Serbia and risk pushing them into the arms of
Russia? Kosovo will never be allowed to join the UN because
two member states (Russian and China) are against it. Many
of our closest friends in the E.U. -- geographically and in
terms of assistance -- are also against it: Spain, Greece and
Cyprus. Spain would oppose even if they were the only EU
state left in opposition. And why can't northern Kosovo,
where the ethnic Serbs live, be given back to Serbia in order
to win their support?" Despite all these concerns, he
reiterated, "I still think it's a question of when, not if,
we will recognize Kosovo."
BORDONARO
SIPDIS
EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV UN UNMIK MT
SUBJECT: MALTA: FOREIGN MINISTER PUNTS ON KOSOVO RECOGNITION
REF: A. 1. VALLETTA 0056
B. 2. STATE 13716
C. 3. 07 VALLETTA 470
Classified By: DCM Jason Davis; reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) In a May 30 meeting, Ambassador asked new Minister of
Foreign Affairs Tonio Borg for an update regarding GoM
recognition of Kosovo. The Ambassador reminded the FM that
he had earlier (Ref A) told us Malta could recognize Kosovo
only after the FM had had a chance to brief Parliament,s
European and Foreign Affairs Committee, which at that point
had not been formed. The committee had now been formed, so
where did things stand?
2. (C) Borg confirmed that the committee had been formed
several days previously, but said that it would hold its
first meeting only "by the end of June." Kosovo would
definitely be discussed at that first meeting, Borg promised,
adding "I think we will recognize Kosovo -- that it's not so
much a question of 'if' as 'when'." But no formal decision
could be taken until the committee briefing had taken place.
On the timing of a possible GoM recognition of Kosovo, Borg
said that "since the government is going to be formed in
September" of this year, "we will likely do it then," though
he added that he did not view September as a deadline.
3. (C) The Ambassador impressed upon the FM the importance of
Malta taking a stance as soon as possible, but this merely
prompted the FM to launch into a discussion of the downsides
of recognition. "Why should we irritate a friendly, pro-EU
government in Serbia and risk pushing them into the arms of
Russia? Kosovo will never be allowed to join the UN because
two member states (Russian and China) are against it. Many
of our closest friends in the E.U. -- geographically and in
terms of assistance -- are also against it: Spain, Greece and
Cyprus. Spain would oppose even if they were the only EU
state left in opposition. And why can't northern Kosovo,
where the ethnic Serbs live, be given back to Serbia in order
to win their support?" Despite all these concerns, he
reiterated, "I still think it's a question of when, not if,
we will recognize Kosovo."
BORDONARO