Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03OTTAWA144
2003-01-14 19:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ottawa
Cable title:  

CANADA ON ESDI/P AND EU BALKANS OPERATIONS

Tags:  PREL EU CA BK NATO 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 000144 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/14/2013
TAGS: PREL EU CA BK NATO
SUBJECT: CANADA ON ESDI/P AND EU BALKANS OPERATIONS

REF: (A) STATE 9301 (B) 02 OTTAWA 1247

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Brian Flora,
Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 000144

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/14/2013
TAGS: PREL EU CA BK NATO
SUBJECT: CANADA ON ESDI/P AND EU BALKANS OPERATIONS

REF: (A) STATE 9301 (B) 02 OTTAWA 1247

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Brian Flora,
Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Canada is pleased with the upswing in NATO-EU
relations in the wake of the Prague and Copenhagen summits
(reftel A),but shares our concern about unity of command
issues. Lisa Helfand, Foreign Affairs Deputy Director for
Defense and Security Relations, told us that Canada still had
questions about how EU command will be embedded in NATO
command, and about EU access to NATO assets. That said,
Canada will be "more than happy" if the EU is able to play a
greater security role in the Balkans. Helfand said that
while Canadian Forces might participate in EU-led efforts in
the Balkans, they are overstretched globally and would
welcome a smaller commitment in the region.


2. (C) Helfand noted that six Canadian police officers have
now arrived in Bosnia to serve in the EU Police Mission
there. This cooperation is part of the Canada-EU modalities
agreement (reftel B),whereby the EU will consult with Canada
when planning operations and will invite Canada to
participate in operations where NATO assets are being used.
In a NATO-EU exercise later this year, Canada plans to
participate on both the NATO and EU sides, allowing it to
test out its new agreement with the EU.
CELLUCCI