NETHERLANDS/MACEDONIA: SUPPORTING EU ACCESSION

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000705 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/18/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL NL MK EU SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/MACEDONIA: SUPPORTING EU ACCESSION NEGOTIATIONS, CONCERN ABOUT NAME DISPUTE REF: SECSTATE 117721 Classified By: Econ Unit Chief Shawn Gray for reasons 1.4(b,d) ¶1. (U) The Dutch support beginning EU accession negotiations with Macedonia. Post delivered reftel points to Dominique Kuhling, head of the EU enlargement division at the Dutch MFA, on November 19. Kuhling said the Netherlands was "quite pleased" with Macedonia's progress on meeting the eight benchmarks set by the EU in 2008. Accordingly, the Netherlands will support the European Commission's recommendation to begin negotiations. Kuhling added that FM Verhagen had a "smooth ride" in parliament during discussions of Macedonia's application to the EU, so he had political support for the Netherlands' new position. ¶2. (C) Kuhling was not/not optimistic about a prompt resolution of the name dispute between Greece and Macedonia. Despite optimism after the Greek elections, positions on both sides appear to be hardening. Kuhling had heard a rumor that Greece was circulating an eight-point plan to resolve the name issue, and that the plan would be difficult for Macedonia to accept. ¶3. (C) Ambassador Dimitrov, Macedonia's representative to the Netherlands, told Ambassador Levin on November 17 that he also was not/not optimistic about resolving the name dispute after reading a cable report from his colleagues in New York regarding meetings with the Greeks the previous week. GALLAGHER