Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08HELSINKI29
2008-01-25 06:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Helsinki
Cable title:  

FINNISH RESPONSE - APPROACHING THE EU IN ADVANCE

Tags:  PHUM PREL PGOV EUN FI 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0842
RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV
DE RUEHHE #0029 0250623
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 250623Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4029
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS HELSINKI 000029

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV EUN FI
SUBJECT: FINNISH RESPONSE - APPROACHING THE EU IN ADVANCE
OF THE JANUARY 28- 29 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING (GAERC)

REF: SECSTATE 7679

(SBU) PolChief delivered the Department's GAERC talking
points to Finnish MFA Deputy EU Correspondent Markku Lampinen
on January 24. Two highlights:

WESTERN BALKANS: Lampinen noted that ministers are unlikely
to approve sweeping conclusions on Kosovo prior to the
Serbian elections. However, Kosovo remains among the most
important of Finland's foreign policy priorities, and
Lampinen said the GOF supports the Slovenian Presidency's
suggestion that an extraordinary GAERC be held immediately
after those elections to do a "thorough examination" of the
EU's next steps. On the question of a Kosovar declaration of
independence, the GOF fully shares our view that it is
crucial that a significant number of EU countries join the EU
in recognizing the Pristina government. Finland will "be
among the first wave" to do so, he emphasized. Lampinen also
reminded us that Finland intends to increase its KFOR
presence from about 400 troops to more than 460 this spring
and resume a "framework nation" role. The GOF also plans
robust participation in the EU civilian/police missions.

MIDDLE EAST: Lampinen said the EU was leaning toward
conclusions that would "gently urge" Israel to loosen the
border and trade restrictions it has imposed on Gaza,
particularly noting the need to allow delivery of fuel and
humanitarian supplies. He also reassured us that the
conclusions would contain language condemning the Hamas
rocket attacks on Israeli civilians.
WARE