DUTCH DISCUSS TRANSATLANTIC GOALS WITH AMBASSADOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 000259 SIPDIS EUR/ERA E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/27/2014 TAGS: PREL EU TU NL MEPP SUBJECT: DUTCH DISCUSS TRANSATLANTIC GOALS WITH AMBASSADOR REF: A. SECSTATE 14874 ¶B. SECSTATE 14740 ¶C. SECSTATE 12593 ¶D. SECSTATE 11994 ¶E. SECSTATE 10322 Classified By: Ambassador Clifford M. Sobel Reason 1.5 (b) ¶1. (C) Summary. MFA SecGen Frank Majoor and Pol Director Hugo Siblesz invited Ambassador, DCM, and other embassy officials to lunch January 23 to discuss the upcoming Dutch EU presidency. The Dutch hope to work with the U.S. to elaborate cooperation in the area of peace and security, particularly in the field of non-proliferation. During its tenure as President, the GoNL will implement any measures on the Greater Middle East (GME) that arise from the upcoming U.S.-EU Summit, while working with the U.S. to encourage indigenous democratic movements throughout the region. The Dutch remain guarded on the question of giving Turkey a date to begin accession discussions, but warn that the government may be forced to provide an opinion to Parliament in advance of the European Commission's November report on Turkey. The GoNL is positive about the working relationship with the US on economic and commercial issues, and hopeful for increased collaboration on regulatory cooperation, corporate governance and innovation issues. On Justice and Home Affairs, the Dutch are interested in discussing how to make a more logical link between external and internal security concerns. End Summary. ¶2. (C) In detailing what he believes are the four major areas for transatlantic cooperation during the upcoming Dutch presidency, MFA Secretary General Frank Majoor expressed a desire to develop further practical cooperation in the field of peace and stability via serious discussions on both the US Security Strategy and the European Security Strategy. The Dutch are interested in determining how best to elaborate current cooperation, such as in the area of non-proliferation. Siblesz went on to profile the inclusion of non-proliferation guarantees in the EU-Syria association agreement, currently under negotiation, as an example of a lever to improve states in the region. In discussing economic cooperation, Majoor said he is pleased with how active the U.S. is with the DOHA round, and stated his hope that the U.S. and EU can obtain results in furthering regulatory cooperation, corporate governance, and the revival of the Transatlantic Business Dialogue (TABD). Ambassador Sobel opined that the U.S. and EU have much to share in the area of innovation, an arena in which transatlantic cooperation can benefit all, and invited the Dutch to consider whether a conference or meeting might be useful. The Dutch showed interest in following up on this idea. Majoor also noted that presidencies are often shaped by unpredicted crises and expressed confidence in U.S.-EU cooperation during the Dutch presidency. He stated further that the U.S. and EU are working closely together in addressing concerns in Iraq, North Korea, and the Greater Middle East. ¶3. (C) MFA Political Director Hugo Siblesz reflected on the recent PolDir meetings in Dublin, and noted an emerging view within both the EU and U.S. for a transformation in tactics to promote democracy in the Middle East. He referred to the UNDP Arab Human Development report as an agenda-setting document for what the West needs to accomplish in the region, stressing the importance of supporting indigenous projects rather than trying to "force solutions." Siblesz also said the EU will look to work within existing structures (Barcelona process, GCC) to advance goals within the region. The Dutch are open to creative new efforts, although they are not in favor of creating elaborate new mechanisms such as an OSCE-equivalent. Majoor went on to note that we must continue to look at the region inclusively (Mauritania to Afghanistan) and in terms of the long-term goals of democracy and peace and stability. The Dutch expect a possible US-EU joint statement to materialize from the U.S.-EU Summit in June, and will look to carry out such a statement during their presidency. Majoor reinforced that the Dutch are open to discussing with the U.S. ways in which to engage the countries in the Middle East so as to promote reforms. The Ambassador and DCM welcomed Dutch interest in cooperation, noting that we need a joint, tailored carrot and stick approach to promote indigenous democracy. ¶4. (C) On other issues, European Integration Deputy Head Derek Oldenburg commented that the GoNL has withheld providing an official position to Parliament on whether or not to give Turkey a date to start accession talks in December. The government has done so by stating the need to wait for the Commission's November report on Turkish progress, as well as the need to remain an objective EU President. Some important leaders in Parliament are skeptical of Turkey's accession. (Note: Prime Minister Balkenende appears to be building a logical case to Parliamentary leaders by saying that if Turkey meets the Copenhagen criteria, it should be allowed in. End note.) At the same time, however, Majoor warned that the US should not underestimate the domestic political sensitivity of Turkish accession for the Netherlands. In discussing Justice and Home Affairs, Majoor commented that the EU perhaps needs to have a more logical link between external and internal security. The Ambassador put on the table the idea that our on-going U.S.-EU talks might support the idea of a high-level meeting on Department of Homeland Security and third pillar issues during the Dutch presidency. The Ambassador also encouraged the Dutch to look at ways in which to expand U.S.-Dutch joint cooperation on HIV/AIDS in Africa to the entire EU, an idea that was discussed further in meetings later in the day. SOBEL