VZCZCXYZ0002
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHCP #0061 0420835
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 110835Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4055
INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE IMMEDIATE 0070
RUEHPS/USOFFICE PRISTINA IMMEDIATE 0021

C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 000061 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/11/2018 
TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO EUN YI DA
SUBJECT: DENMARK READY TO MOVE QUICKLY ON KOSOVO 
INDEPENDENCE 
 
REF: A. SECSTATE 13716 
 
     ¶B. 07 COPENHAGEN 1069 
 
Classified By: CDA Sandra Kaiser, reasons 1.4 (b), (d) 
 
¶1. (C) Denmark will be among the first EU member states to 
recognize Kosovo's independence.  Danish MFA Eastern Europe 
Department Head Ruben Madsen confirmed to us February 11 that 
Denmark is poised to announce its recognition "within hours" 
of a declaration of independence.  Madsen told us Danish FM 
Per Stig Moeller briefed the parliamentary foreign policy 
committee Friday, February 8, and obtained a broad mandate to 
move quickly on Kosovo's independence when an announcement 
comes.  Madsen said the FM received the backing of all 
parliamentary parties "except one" (presumably the Danish 
People's Party, which has announced its opposition to 
Kosovo's independence.). 
 
¶2. (C) Madsen said the Danish government is anticipating 
Kosovo will declare independence February 17, and, per 
Denmark's count, 20 EU member states are currently ready to 
move immediately to announce recognition.  Madsen said 
Denmark hopes a February 17 declaration of independence will 
enable the full EU to discuss and, hopefully, decide on 
recognition of Kosovo at the February 18 GAERC.  Madsen made 
clear, however, that if a GAERC consensus wasn't forthcoming, 
Denmark and other EU members were ready to move immediately 
to recognize Kosovo. 
 
¶3. (C) Madsen asked that the U.S. alert Denmark if we 
anticipate a declaration of independence before February 17. 
CAIN