GOF ENVIRONMENT MINISTER CONFIRMS TO AMBASSADOR THE

UNCLAS HELSINKI 000995 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS CEQ FOR CONNAUGHTON/HANNEGAN NSC FOR MCKIBBEN DOE FOR SELL/HARBERT DEPT FOR EB/ESC/IEC/ENR, EUR/NB/KLEE, EUR/ERA AND OES/EGC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON SENV ENRG EU PREL FI SUBJECT: GOF ENVIRONMENT MINISTER CONFIRMS TO AMBASSADOR THE HLD DATE AND CO-CHAIR PARTICIPATION ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Ambassador Ware met with Environment Minister Enestam on September 27 to discuss the upcoming High Level Dialogue on Climate Change, Clean Energy and Sustainable Development (HLD),which he confirmed would take place on October 24-25. Enestam also confirmed he will co- chair the meeting with Trade and Industry Minister Pekkarinen (energy portfolio). EU Commissioner Dimas will likely not attend because he is scheduled to address the EU Parliament; DG Environment Carl will likely attend in his place. In addition to the HLD, Enestam also briefly raised the importance of engaging Russia on environmental issues, particularly the Gulf of Finland. End Summary. -------------- HLD -------------- ¶2. (U) Ambassador Ware and Enestam agreed that including high level energy representatives is helpful in orientating future discussion about climate change. Enestam stated that energy and climate change discussions "need to go hand-in- hand" if we are to have success together. Enestam expressed that the HLD would be a highlight for the GOF EU Presidency and that he was personally eager to work with the U.S. to make it a success. Enestam also said we need to develop "transitory solutions" such as carbon capture and clean fuels. ¶3. (U) Enestam shared a copy of the tentative annotated agenda for the HLD (sent separately),noting that they tried to cover all three areas with a balanced approach. The Finns are hoping to see tangible results from the HLD, such as formation of a working group to set standards for vehicle emissions. Enestam said they were planning several joint press conferences that they expected to be well attended by the European media. Enestam stated the Finns hope to produce a joint statement on the facts from the meeting (Comment: MFA sources have said they hope to release only the agreed-upon agenda. End comment) The Finns also hope to announce a date and venue for a follow-up HLD meeting in ¶2007. -------------- Engaging Russia on Environment -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Enestam commented on the prolonged challenges of engaging Russia on environmental issues that have a regional impact and that the EU-Russia Summit (November 23-24) would hopefully provide a good forum for action. The EU is hoping to discuss with Russia a number of environmental issues such as biodiversity, renewable energy, and the possibility of pollution in the Gulf of Finland from shipping accidents. WARE