FINNISH RESPONSE - APPROACHING THE EU IN ADVANCE

UNCLAS HELSINKI 000340 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD PREL KPAL EUN FI SUBJECT: FINNISH RESPONSE - APPROACHING THE EU IN ADVANCE OF THE MAY 14-15 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING (GAERC) REF: SECSTATE 60948 ¶1. (U) PolChief delivered subject demarche to Finnish Deputy European Correspondent Tanja Jaaskelainen May 10. She offered the following comments: ¶2. (SBU) SERBIA: Jaaskelainen predicted extensive discussions of how the EU should respond if the Serbs miss the May 15 constitutional deadline for the formation of a new government. A general statement of the EU's desire to work closely with a pro-Western government that embraces a European perspective is likely. However, some member states are pressing for a forward-leaning statement on the Stability and Association Agreement (SAA),in hopes that it might positively influence the government formation process. Consensus on such a statement is unlikely because several MS believe it will have no impact on the Serbs. The Finns also oppose it because, in the absence of a Serbian government, the EU has been unable to address its ICTY concerns with the Belgrade. Jaaskelainen also opined that the FMs will have to discuss at least informally some sort of "Plan B" in response to the strong possibility that the Serbs will miss the May 15 deadline and need to call new elections. ¶3. (SBU) KOSOVO: EU unity behind Ahtisaari's recommendations remains a key Finnish national priority. German Presidency efforts have led to "some signs of improvement" within the Union, she said, and EU unity at the UNSC appears to be holding. Jaaskelainen warmly welcomed US "optimism" regarding eventual participation in the planned Kosovo ESDP operation. ¶4. (SBU) RUSSIA-EU SUMMIT and ESTONIA: The Bronze Statue incident in Estonia will likely be raised. Finland would support a very strong statement from the EU indicating that "Russia's intimidation toward Estonia does not match the EU's idea of a strategic partnership" between Russia and the EU, Jaaskelainen said. ¶5. (SBU) RUSSIA-EU SUMMIT and KOSOVO: Also regarding the Summit, Jaaskelainen agreed fully that the Summit must be used as an opportunity for urging the Russians to allow a UNSCR on Kosovo to go forward. In Finland's view, the EU must also continue to remind Moscow that we do not accept the argument that Kosovo sets a precedent for the "frozen conflicts." HYATT