Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SARAJEVO232
2009-02-25 15:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Sarajevo
Cable title:
BOSNIA: MFA TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATION TO BIH
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UNCLAS SARAJEVO 000232
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SCE AND ACE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PREL KVIR BK
SUBJECT: BOSNIA: MFA TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATION TO BIH
PRESIDENCY ON KOSOVO TRAVEL DOCS
REF: A. SECSTATE 14568
B. SARAJEVO 224
UNCLAS SARAJEVO 000232
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SCE AND ACE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PREL KVIR BK
SUBJECT: BOSNIA: MFA TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATION TO BIH
PRESIDENCY ON KOSOVO TRAVEL DOCS
REF: A. SECSTATE 14568
B. SARAJEVO 224
1. Per ref A request, DCM and ECONOFF met with Deputy
Foreign Minister Ana Trisic-Babic on February 24 to discuss
Kosovo official travel access to BiH for Regional Cooperation
Council (RCC) meetings. Although Bosnia has not officially
recognized Kosovo independence, Kosovo officials had been
successfully traveling to RCC events in Sarajevo on UNMIK
passports. However, on February 19, officials were refused
entry to Bosnia in Vienna on their way to a RCC National
Coordinator's meeting (ref B). Trisic-Babic was familiar
with the larger issue of recognition of Kosovo travel
documents, but had not heard of the incident in Vienna,
although she promised to follow up. She was surprised to
hear there had been a problem as she understood BiH still
accepted UNMIK passports. DCM stressed the importance of
resolving the issue before the next RCC board meeting on
March 5.
2. Trisic-Babic explained that the MFA is currently tasked
with preparing a report to the BiH Presidency detailing the
Kosovo travel document issue and providing a course of action
and recommendations. She personally supports an approach
similar to the "Greek" model where Kosovo officials traveling
for RCC business could receive a special permit or other form
of travel document outside their passports. Trisic-Babic
mentioned that Minister Alkalaj had already sent something to
the BiH Presidency in this regard, but it was "foggy" and did
not clearly represent the situation and explain a course of
action. She noted that it also confused the issue by
including a lot of other Kosovo-related questions, such as
the recognition of Kosovo university diplomas. Therefore,
the International/Consular Division of the MFA is preparing
an options paper focused solely on the travel document
question. The paper will offer several possible mechanisms
for resolving the issue, including the "Greek" model. DCM
stressed the need for a long-term resolution, especially in
light of the termination of UNMIK passports in April.
Trisic-Babic said that she fully supports regional coperation
efforts and understands that BiH has an obligation to resolve
the Kosovo travel question.
ENGLISH
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SCE AND ACE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PREL KVIR BK
SUBJECT: BOSNIA: MFA TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATION TO BIH
PRESIDENCY ON KOSOVO TRAVEL DOCS
REF: A. SECSTATE 14568
B. SARAJEVO 224
1. Per ref A request, DCM and ECONOFF met with Deputy
Foreign Minister Ana Trisic-Babic on February 24 to discuss
Kosovo official travel access to BiH for Regional Cooperation
Council (RCC) meetings. Although Bosnia has not officially
recognized Kosovo independence, Kosovo officials had been
successfully traveling to RCC events in Sarajevo on UNMIK
passports. However, on February 19, officials were refused
entry to Bosnia in Vienna on their way to a RCC National
Coordinator's meeting (ref B). Trisic-Babic was familiar
with the larger issue of recognition of Kosovo travel
documents, but had not heard of the incident in Vienna,
although she promised to follow up. She was surprised to
hear there had been a problem as she understood BiH still
accepted UNMIK passports. DCM stressed the importance of
resolving the issue before the next RCC board meeting on
March 5.
2. Trisic-Babic explained that the MFA is currently tasked
with preparing a report to the BiH Presidency detailing the
Kosovo travel document issue and providing a course of action
and recommendations. She personally supports an approach
similar to the "Greek" model where Kosovo officials traveling
for RCC business could receive a special permit or other form
of travel document outside their passports. Trisic-Babic
mentioned that Minister Alkalaj had already sent something to
the BiH Presidency in this regard, but it was "foggy" and did
not clearly represent the situation and explain a course of
action. She noted that it also confused the issue by
including a lot of other Kosovo-related questions, such as
the recognition of Kosovo university diplomas. Therefore,
the International/Consular Division of the MFA is preparing
an options paper focused solely on the travel document
question. The paper will offer several possible mechanisms
for resolving the issue, including the "Greek" model. DCM
stressed the need for a long-term resolution, especially in
light of the termination of UNMIK passports in April.
Trisic-Babic said that she fully supports regional coperation
efforts and understands that BiH has an obligation to resolve
the Kosovo travel question.
ENGLISH