THE VIEW FROM HELSINKI: PREPARING FOR THE HIGH

C O N F I D E N T I A L HELSINKI 001064 SIPDIS SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D COPY(REMOVING DOD AND ADDING DOE ADDEES) STATE FOR U/S DOBRIANSKY, OES STATE PASS TO EPA/GWAXMONSKY AND RMEYERS DOE FOR U/S GARMAN WHITE HOUSE FOR CEQ/DBANKS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2016 TAGS: SENV ENRG EUN FI SUBJECT: THE VIEW FROM HELSINKI: PREPARING FOR THE HIGH LEVEL DIALOGUE ON CLIMATE CHANGE, CLEAN ENERGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Classified By: Ambassador Marilyn Ware for reasons 1.5b and d. ¶1. (SBU) Because of their long-held interest in climate change and related issues, and their keen interest in launching this dialogue during their Presidency to find areas of common ground for the US and EU, the Finns asserted themselves with the Commission in a manner we have not seen on other issues. They worked behind the scenes with the Commission to develop a compromise agenda that moves past the sterile debate on targets and timetables to a more useful discussion of practical steps the U.S. and EU can take together. Finnish officials, including the Minister of Environment, have stated that they view the HLD as one of the most important events of their Presidency. ¶2. (C) The HLD will be co-chaired by Finnish Minister of Environment Jan-Erik.Enestam and Finnish Minster of Trade and Industry Mauri Pekkarinen. The contrast between the two could not be more striking. Enestam is a popular and personable politician who considers himself a close friend of the U.S. and a strong supporter of the transatlantic relationship. He has announced that he is leaving the government at the end of the Finnish EU Presidency. He therefore has a personal interest in making the HLD a success. A former Defense Minister, Enestam is dynamic and charismatic, with a firm command of English. He is likely to be the natural lead on the Finnish side. ¶3. (C) By contrast, Pekkarinen is a somber leader who oversees a diverse collection of issues, including energy and energy security, at the Ministry of Trade and Industry. A strong advocate of biofuels and developing energy technologies, Pekkarinen envisions a "constructive meeting" that addresses both energy security and climate change. Although Pekkarinen is highly competent, his lack of charisma may explain the Finns' initial reluctance to provide Pekkarinen a co-chair role, rather than an effort to avoid an energy discussion. ¶4. (C) Unlike some in the EU and the Commission, the Finns understand and agree with our approach to finding concrete tools to maximize the synergies between the promotion of energy security, sustainable energy supply, innovation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. During preparation for the HLD, officials in both the Finnish Environment and Trade and Industry Ministries have highlighted the strong link between climate and energy issues. Nonetheless, as Elina Kalkku, MFA Director General for the Americas and Asia, has noted, it has been &quite an innovation8 to gather Finnish and EU energy and environment officials together, an innovation Finland hopes will be one lasting legacy of its EU Presidency. WARE