FINNISH REACTION TO PRE-GAERC DEMARCHE

C O N F I D E N T I A L HELSINKI 001209

SIPDIS

PLEASE PASS TO EUR/ERA AND EUR/NB

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2015
TAGS: KPAL PREL IZ FI EUN EU GAERC
SUBJECT: FINNISH REACTION TO PRE-GAERC DEMARCHE

REF: SECSTATE 208899

Classified By: POLOFF DAVID ALLEN SCHLAEFER FOR REASON 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche to Tanya
Jaaskelainen, Deputy EU Correspondent in the MFA's Unit for
EU Common Foreign and Security Policy. The points were also
sent to the EU Coordinator in the Prime Minister's Office.
Jaaskelainen said that Finland would focus on the MEPP,
Kosovo, and Ukraine at the Nov. 21-22 GAERC. She also
commented on Syria.


2. (C) MEPP: Finland welcomed the "Agreement on Movement
and Access" announced by the Secretary on Nov. 15. Garnering
sufficient financial and logistical support for the EU
mission in Rafah is an important next step. Finland will
contribute to the Rafah mission and urge other EU countries
to do the same. It is important that the momentum
established by the Rafah agreement be maintained; Gaza is a
good beginning, but not the endgame. The EU and US must
continue to work with Israel to address the full range of
outstanding issues related to the Occupied Territories.


3. (C) Kosovo: The GoF is pleased that the EU quickly
responded to UN Special Envoy Ahtisaari's request for support
by appointing Stefan Lehne as EU Special Representative. The
Finns welcome a pending announcement of a U.S. Special Envoy.
Jaaskelainen remarked that the U.S. has supported Ahtisaari
strongly in his prior missions on behalf of the international
community, especially during the successful Aceh talks, and
that the GoF was confident that he would continue to receive
such support from Washington. Finland aims to keep the EU
ministers focused on the issue with a view toward providing
maximum EU support and cooperation for Ahtisaari.


4. (C) Ukraine: Finland shares U.S. concern about the slow
pace of WTO-related reform and anti-corruption measures. The
U.S. and EU must work in tandem to encourage greater energy
toward reform in Ukraine. Trans-Atlantic consultation is
important in order to avoid duplication of programs and
ensure maximum effect.


5. (C) Syria: The GoF agrees that it is important for
Syria to cooperate fully with the UN investigation. Finland
has supported strong EU statements about this. The GoF (and
EU) has a different perspective as regards isolating the
Syrians, however. Total isolation may lead to missed
opportunities to encourage the Syrians to cooperate on the
Hariri investigation and on other issues, including support
for militants in Lebanon.
HYATT