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