AMBASSADOR BARRETT MEETS WITH FINNISH PRIME

C O N F I D E N T I A L HELSINKI 000269

SIPDIS

EUR/NB

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2018
TAGS: PGOV ETRD USTR KIPR KGHG FI
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR BARRETT MEETS WITH FINNISH PRIME
MINISTER VANHANEN

Classified By: Acting PolChief Lisa Conesa for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) Ambassador Barbara M. Barrett paid a courtesy call on
Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen on June 3. Finnish Special
Advisor, State Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Esko Hamilo
also participated in the meeting.


2. (SBU) Vanhanen expressed overall satisfaction with the
US-Finnish relationship. Vanhanen and Barrett discussed the
current economic situation. He said that Western European
growth has been strong, with
Finland leading the way due to significant trade with Asia
and Russia. Vanhanen asked if the US elections would impact
the timetable for US action on climate issues, especially
leading up to the intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
IPCC) meeting in Copenhagen in December 2009. Ambassador
Barrett reassured Vanhanen, reminding him that all
Presidential candidates had addressed climate issues in their
campaigns.


3. (C) Ambassador Barrett raised US pharmaceutical industry
concerns about unfair pricing regulations on patented
pharmaceuticals. Vanhanen called the issue complicated due
to government limits on expenditures. Hamilo then asked if
Finland risks being added to the "Special 301" list for
inadequate protection of intellectual property rights.
Ambassador Barrett replied that resolving the issue prior to
ever reaching that point would be best and asked if Vanhanen
had any suggestions for resolving the problem. Vanhanen
replied that he would discuss the issue with the key
stakeholders in the GoF. Ambassador Barrett thanked Vanhanen
for Finnish support in Afghanistan, especially in development
and rebuilding.
BARRETT