Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09THEHAGUE705
2009-11-19 15:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
NETHERLANDS/MACEDONIA: SUPPORTING EU ACCESSION
how-toVZCZCXRO2775 PP RUEHSL DE RUEHTC #0705 3231538 ZNY CCCAA ZZH P 191538Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3495 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHSQ/AMEMBASSY SKOPJE PRIORITY 0556
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)
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
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