FINLAND WILL SIGN BILATERAL INSTRUMENT TO U.S.-EU

UNCLAS HELSINKI 001504 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CASC KCRM KJUS PREL FI EUN SUBJECT: FINLAND WILL SIGN BILATERAL INSTRUMENT TO U.S.-EU EXTRADITION AND MUTUAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENTS IN BRUSSELS REF: SECSTATE 251819 ¶1. (U) Poloff on November 29 spoke about the bilateral instrument with Matti Joutsen, the Director for International Relations at the Ministry of Justice. Joutsen said that the GoF was "favorably disposed" to signing the bilateral instrument in Brussels on Dec. 15 or 16. Joutsen said that Finland's Justice Minister, Johannes Koskinen, would unfortunately be unable to travel to Brussels for the signing. However, Finland's Ambassador to the EU, Eikka Kosonen, will sign the agreement. Kosonen would be accompanied by Juhani Korhonen, the chief negotiator on the Finnish side as regards the agreement. ¶2. (U) Please advise soonest if further action by post is needed. MACK