CROATIAN/MONTENEGRIN PRIME MINISTERS DISCUSS

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000253 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR EUR/SCE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV HR SUBJECT: CROATIAN/MONTENEGRIN PRIME MINISTERS DISCUSS BORDERS, TRADE AND TOURISM ¶1. (U) Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader met with his Montenegrin counterpart Milo Djukanovic on 12 March 2008 in Zagreb. According to the Montenegrin DCM in Zagreb, the two PMs held a 15 minute private meeting before turning discussions over to their advisors and relevant subject-matter experts. The two countries discussed their disputed border and the potential for increased economic cooperation. Plans call for the formation of a joint commission to address issues surrounding their shared border. Though a tentative agreement has been in place for several years, both countries hope to bring the issue to a final resolution. The expert level group will prepare legal documents to be presented to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Sanader and Djukanovic agreed the two countries would abide by the decision of the court. ¶2. (U) Despite strong political ties between their countries, neither the GoC nor the GoM is satisfied with current economic relations. Both governments agreed to create a Council for Economic Cooperation, bringing together experts from their respective Ministries of Economy and Chambers of Commerce. The first meeting will be held in Podgorica sometime in the coming months. The two PMs also expressed support for plans to establish direct flights between Podgorica and Zagreb in the near-term. Discussion of trade and border issues led to further talks on increased cooperation in the tourism sector. ¶3. (SBU) While the GoM continues to pursue its own hopes for NATO accession, any serious discussion of advice and assistance from the GoC was deferred until after the April 2008 summit in Bucharest. According to Montenegrin Ambassador Branko Lukovac, Djukanovic and Sanader did briefly discuss what Montenegro's best prospects and means of joining the alliance might be. Sanader reportedly opined that, if all A-3 countries (Croatia, Albania and Macedonia) earned an invitation at Bucharest, then Montenegro could well be working without the benefits of being a part of a group of aspirants, given the political obstacles likely to face any of the other non-NATO members in the region in joining the alliance. Bradtke