Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04THEHAGUE259
2004-02-02 11:27:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:  

DUTCH DISCUSS TRANSATLANTIC GOALS WITH AMBASSADOR

Tags:  PREL EU TU NL MEPP 
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 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)

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