BULGARIA: WILL PRESENT ORAL STATEMENT ON KOSOVO AT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 000505 SIPDIS PASS TO EUR/SCE, L/EUR/, L/UNA E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV BU SUBJECT: BULGARIA: WILL PRESENT ORAL STATEMENT ON KOSOVO AT ICJ HEARING REF: STATE 90199 Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Kelly Adams-Smith for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) In response to reftel demarche MFA spokesperson Ivan Jordanov told us September 4 that Bulgaria will formally register to make an oral statement on Kosovo at the ICJ hearing in December. Bulgaria seeks U.S. and British assistance in preparing the statement. Jordanov requested past U.S. written statements and structural points to help the Bulgarians in their drafting process. Jordanov said Bulgaria would try to coordinate its statement with Hungary and Croatia, since these three countries recognized Kosovo together. He noted that Bulgaria's statement will not depend on cooperation with these two countries, however, since the MFA is already receiving "mixed signals" from the Hungarians on a joint approach, while Croatia is leaning towards making a statement. ORDWAY