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