Cablegate: Estonia Supports Macedonia's Eu Negotiations

VZCZCXRO9202
RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA
RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSL RUEHSR RUEHVK
RUEHYG
DE RUEHTL #0370 3201428
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 161427Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY TALLINN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0225
INFO EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS TALLINN 000370

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EUN MK EN
SUBJECT: Estonia Supports Macedonia's EU Negotiations

1. Pol Chief delivered reftel points November 16 to Tonis Idarand,
MFA Director for Central and Southern Europe. Idarand replied that
Estonia shares the USG opinion and supports the EC's recommendation
to start formal accession negotiations with Macedonia. However,
Idarand said that Greece and Cyprus would most likely prevent the
EU taking this step. Estonia would like to see Greece and
Macedonia agree to EU arbitration over the name issue, as Slovenia
and Croatia recently did over their border dispute. Idarand added
that PM Ansip had also warned the Government of Macedonia to avoid
any provocative actions regarding the name issue.

2. According to Idarand, Estonia is very supportive of EU accession
for the western Balkans. Estonia is sharing its own reform and
EU/NATO accession experiences with these countries - Idarand said
in the past twelve months there have been more than 70 official
visits exchanged between Estonia and Macedonia.
DECKER

© Scoop Media