Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DUBLIN513
2009-11-30 15:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dublin
Cable title:
IRELAND "FAVORS" SETTING DATE FOR EU-MACEDONIA
how-toVZCZCXRO2805 PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHDL #0513 3341503 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 301503Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY DUBLIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0339 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBL/AMCONSUL BELFAST PRIORITY 1118
C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 000513
SIPDIS
EUR/SCE FOR PAUL PFEUFFER AND JERRY ISMAIL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL GR MK EI EUN
SUBJECT: IRELAND "FAVORS" SETTING DATE FOR EU-MACEDONIA
TALKS
REF: STATE 117721
Classified By: Political Officer Todd Huizinga. Reasons 1.4(b/d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 000513
SIPDIS
EUR/SCE FOR PAUL PFEUFFER AND JERRY ISMAIL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL GR MK EI EUN
SUBJECT: IRELAND "FAVORS" SETTING DATE FOR EU-MACEDONIA
TALKS
REF: STATE 117721
Classified By: Political Officer Todd Huizinga. Reasons 1.4(b/d).
1. (C) On November 25, Poloff discussed reftel points with
John McCullagh, Counselor for EU Enlargement in the Irish
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA),and his Deputy Mark
Daryl Erickson. On setting a start date for formal EU
accession negotiations with Macedonia, our interlocutors
referred to Irish Prime Minister Cowen's press release on his
November 19 meeting with Macedonian PM Gruevski, in which
Cowen confirms that Ireland is "favorably disposed" towards
setting a date for accession talks. McCullagh elaborated,
however, that Ireland supports setting the date "in
principle" and would likely defer to "EU member states more
directly concerned" on whether a date should be set at the
December 10 European Council meeting.
2. (C) On the name issue, Mark Daryl Erickson noted Ireland's
impression, despite positive atmospherics as reported reftel,
that neither the Greek nor the Macedonian side appears to be
moving toward a mutually acceptable solution. McCullagh said
the decision on whether to set a date for accession talks
would probably be made before December 10, at the EU Foreign
Minister's meeting (GAERC) on December 7-8, and be endorsed
by EU leaders at the December 10 EU Council meeting. Our
interlocutors did not offer a prediction on what that
decision would be.
FAUCHER
SIPDIS
EUR/SCE FOR PAUL PFEUFFER AND JERRY ISMAIL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL GR MK EI EUN
SUBJECT: IRELAND "FAVORS" SETTING DATE FOR EU-MACEDONIA
TALKS
REF: STATE 117721
Classified By: Political Officer Todd Huizinga. Reasons 1.4(b/d).
1. (C) On November 25, Poloff discussed reftel points with
John McCullagh, Counselor for EU Enlargement in the Irish
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA),and his Deputy Mark
Daryl Erickson. On setting a start date for formal EU
accession negotiations with Macedonia, our interlocutors
referred to Irish Prime Minister Cowen's press release on his
November 19 meeting with Macedonian PM Gruevski, in which
Cowen confirms that Ireland is "favorably disposed" towards
setting a date for accession talks. McCullagh elaborated,
however, that Ireland supports setting the date "in
principle" and would likely defer to "EU member states more
directly concerned" on whether a date should be set at the
December 10 European Council meeting.
2. (C) On the name issue, Mark Daryl Erickson noted Ireland's
impression, despite positive atmospherics as reported reftel,
that neither the Greek nor the Macedonian side appears to be
moving toward a mutually acceptable solution. McCullagh said
the decision on whether to set a date for accession talks
would probably be made before December 10, at the EU Foreign
Minister's meeting (GAERC) on December 7-8, and be endorsed
by EU leaders at the December 10 EU Council meeting. Our
interlocutors did not offer a prediction on what that
decision would be.
FAUCHER