FINLAND'S RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON VENEZUELA

C O N F I D E N T I A L HELSINKI 000695

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV VE FI
SUBJECT: FINLAND'S RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON VENEZUELA

REF: SECSTATE 117165

Classified By: Mikael Cleverley for reasons 1.4 (B,D)


1. (C) Acting Pol Chief delivered the reftel talking points
to Anne Lammila, Director for the Latin America Unit at the
Finnish MFA. Lammila chose not to elaborate on her assessment
of the situation in Venezuela, except to point out that the
GoF is concerned about conditions there (particularly with
regard to democracy and human rights) and is monitoring the
situation closely through its Embassy in Caracas. She pointed
out that Finland's policy positions were still being
formulated in coordination (and harmony) with the EU.


2. (C) Lammila noted that no high-level Venezuelan officials
are scheduled to visit Finland at this time. She expressed
appreciation for the information and referred favorably to
her visit to Washington last year when she met with her State
Department counterpart and other WHA officers.


3. (U) Note: Finland's economic ties to Venezuela are
relatively minor. Finland imports small amounts of iron and
steel and exports paper products and heavy machinery. The
value of trade in 2003 was below 25M Euros. Several Finnish
companies have subsidiaries in Venezuela, but the overall
investment position is rather unsubstantial. Some cooperation
has also existed in the refining of heavy crude oil for the
production of asphalts and lubricants. End note.
WEISBERG