Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LISBON1445
2007-05-22 16:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Lisbon
Cable title:  

OECD: PORTUGAL SUPPORTS NEGOTIATIONS WITH RUSSIA,

Tags:  ECIN ECON EFIN OECD PO 
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VZCZCXRO3032
RR RUEHRN
DE RUEHLI #1445 1421601
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 221601Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY LISBON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5912
INFO RUEHSS/OECD POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0333
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 0332
RUEHJA/AMEMBASSY JAKARTA 0380
RUEHLJ/AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA 0108
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0468
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0113
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0390
RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 0158
RUEHRA/AMEMBASSY RIGA 0131
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 0104
RUEHTL/AMEMBASSY TALLINN 0129
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0240
RUEHVL/AMEMBASSY VILNIUS 0130
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
UNCLAS LISBON 001445

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
USOECD

DEPT PASS TO EUR/WE KEVIN OPSTRUP
PARIS PASS TO USOECD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECIN ECON EFIN OECD PO
SUBJECT: OECD: PORTUGAL SUPPORTS NEGOTIATIONS WITH RUSSIA,
BUT NOT FINANCIAL REFORMS

REF: A. STATE 67401


B. STATE 62464

(U) SUMMARY: According to an Advisor in the MFA's Office of
International Economic Organizations and Multilateral
Affairs, the GOP concurs with USG concerns on efficiency and
effectiveness issues in the OECD, but finds the USG proposal
to revamp the OECD's financial system "unfair to medium and
smaller-sized economies." In addition, the GOP stands behind
Russian accession as long as the GOR fulfills OECD
requirements for membership. END SUMMARY.

(U) On May 21, P/E Officer met with Jose Rui Velez Caroco,
Advisor in the International Economic Organizations and
Multilateral Affairs Office at the MFA, to discuss reftel
talking points on OECD enlargement and enhanced engagement.
While the GOP agrees with USG concerns on maintaining
efficiency and effectiveness in the OECD during enlargement,
it has reservations about the USG's suggestion to revamp the
financial contributions system. The GOP finds the USG's
"burden-sharing" proposition to be "unfair to medium and
smaller economies" and will push for more compromise in this
area. The GOP believes that countries with smaller economies
should not be expected to make payments proportionate to
those made by larger economies.

(U) Regarding Russia, Caroco stated that Russia has solicited
FM Amado's support for its OECD candidacy. The GOP supports
Russian accession on the condition that it fulfills OECD
membership guidelines. Portugal also supports Russia's
accession to the WTO.

Hoffman