NETHERLANDS/RUSSIA: DUTCH SUPPORT PLANNED

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 003214 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV RS NL SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/RUSSIA: DUTCH SUPPORT PLANNED U.S.-RUSSIAN CONSULTATIONS ON REGIONAL CIS ISSUES REF: SECSTATE 214783 Classified By: Acting DCM Andrew Schofer for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) The Dutch believe enhanced U.S. - Russia dialogue regarding regional policy issues "could only be good for the region." Henk Voskamp (Deputy Director, Southeast and Eastern Europe Division, MFA) shared this information with poloff in response to reftel points on November 30. The Dutch share our interest in fostering dialogue with Russia and are eager to coordinate activities with the U.S.; Voskamp explained that his boss, Jan Lukas van Hoorn, is currently in Washington to discuss fostering complementarity of EU and U.S. approaches to Russian regional policy. ¶2. (C) The Dutch believe such harmonization will require relatively little adjustment. Voskamp said the objectives of the "European Neighborhood Policy" with regard to Russia closely resemble those put forward in reftel points and pointed to the recent establishment of the EU Border Assistance Mission to Transnistria as evidence. Voskamp also mentioned that, during Russian President Putin's recent visit to The Hague, Dutch Foreign Minister Bot discussed Russia's policy in the Baltic States with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov. ¶3. (C) The shrinking geographic distance between the EU and Russia has catalyzed EU interest in Russian regional policy. Voskamp explained that there is a "heightened sense" within the EU that "the Moldova border issue should be settled" before Romania's accession to the EU in two years, at which time Moldova will border the EU. BLAKEMAN