VZCZCXRO3336
PP RUEHIK
DE RUEHPS #0457 2921111
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 191111Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY PRISTINA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9358
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 1226
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1750
RHFMIUU/AFSOUTH NAPLES IT
RHMFISS/CDR TF FALCON
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEPGEA/CDR650THMIGP SHAPE BE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUZEJAA/USNIC PRISTINA SR
UNCLAS PRISTINA 000457
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE, EUR/PGI, INL, DRL, PRM, USAID
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KV HU SP
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: HUNGARY IN TALKS TO REPRESENT SPANISH EU
PRESIDENCY
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.
1. (SBU) Atilla Fodor, First Secretary of the Hungarian Embassy in
Pristina, briefed us Friday, October 16, on Hungary's hopes to
represent Spain in Kosovo, during Spain's January-June 2010 EU
presidency. According to Fodor, intensive bilateral talks are
underway, and a decision is expected no later than mid-November.
Fodor expressed his ministry's desire to work closely with the
United States on Kosovo issues both during the local presidency,
should Spain select Hungary to represent it, as well as in its
scheduled presidency in the first six months of 2011. He noted that
the Western Balkans would be Hungary's top priority in its 2011
presidency. In response, we told Fodor that the USG desires close
coordination and cooperation with the EU, and that the Embassy looks
forward to working closely with his mission, both in its capacity as
local EU presidency, if selected, and in 2011.
COMMENT
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2. (SBU) While it is an internal matter to be decided by Spain and
Hungary, the prospect of a state that recognizes Kosovo (Hungary)
replacing a strident non-recognizer (Spain) as the local face of the
EU presidency is nothing but positive. We will work closely with
the Hungarian Embassy in Pristina when it joins the European Troika.
DELL