MALTA: LATEST ON KOSOVO RECOGNITION

C O N F I D E N T I A L VALLETTA 000270 SIPDIS EUR/SCE E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV UN UNMIK KPKO MT SUBJECT: MALTA: LATEST ON KOSOVO RECOGNITION REF: A. STATE 69691 ¶B. VALLETTA 227 . VALLETTA 0056 ¶D. STATE 13716 ¶E. 07VALLETTA 470 Classified By: DCM Jason Davis, resons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (U) In a July 1 working unch with Foreign Minister Tonio Borg and the mebers of the Maltese Parliament's European and Foeign Affairs Committee, Ambassador Bordonaro drew n Ref A talking points to urge that Malta recognze Kosovo at the earliest opportunity. ¶2. (C) M Borg responded that Kosovo was at the top of his briefing agenda for the Committee's meeting on Jly 7, the first Committee meeting since the new arliament was elected in March. When the Ambassaor asked the assembled members of the committee hw they expected to respond to the briefing, membrs from both parties indicated that they would be in listening mode. The general consensus of the Committee members was that the discussion should focus on preserving regional stability. The Labor parliamentarians were a bit reticent to speak out on the subject before the briefing. They pointed out, however, the decision on recognition does not require approval by the Committee -- that is in the hands of the government. ¶3. (C) Following the meeting, European and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael Frendo pulled the Ambassador aside to tell her "don't worry, this is going to happen." Walking out the door, Frendo said only half jokingly that a decision on recognition was not made before the March elections because the election was certain to be exceedingly close, and it was not inconceivable that the outcome could have been influenced by the relatively large number of Maltese who have Serbian spouses (whereas there are virtually no Maltese who are married to Kosovars or Albanians.) BORDONARO