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