Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BRUSSELS473
2009-04-01 13:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
USEU Brussels
how-toVZCZCXRO6864 RR RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHBS #0473 0911356 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 011356Z APR 09 FM USEU BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS COLL RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON
UNCLAS BRUSSELS 000473
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR EAP/RSP, L/ESA, EUR/ERA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KTIA PREL ASEAN EU
SUBJECT: ASEAN TAC: EU EXPERIENCE
REF: STATE 20228
UNCLAS BRUSSELS 000473
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR EAP/RSP, L/ESA, EUR/ERA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KTIA PREL ASEAN EU
SUBJECT: ASEAN TAC: EU EXPERIENCE
REF: STATE 20228
1. (SBU) This is in response to Reftel request for
information on the EU experience with regard to accession to
the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC). While the
European Union would like to accede to the TAC, our European
Commission interlocutors tell us that it may be some time
before negotiations start on accession. Since the TAC does
not allow non-state actors to accede in its current form,
ASEAN has had to agree on a so-called "Third Protocol" that
would allow "regional integration organizations" like the EU,
but not run-of-the-mill international organizations like the
UN or OECD, to accede. All current TAC signatories must
ratify the Third Protocol before ASEAN can begin negotiating
with the EU. ASEAN has advised the Commission that it
expects ratification to be completed in July 2009. Further
complicating the EU's effort was French accession to the TAC
in 2007. This frustrated EC officials, who said the French
accession undermined their argument that the EU could
represent all 27 Member States. Our interlocutor did not
know whether France would withdraw from the TAC once the EU
accedes.
2. (SBU) Since the EU does not expect to begin serious talks
about accession until after the Third Protocol has been
ratified, they have no experience to offer in the areas
sought by reftel.
MURRAY
.
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR EAP/RSP, L/ESA, EUR/ERA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KTIA PREL ASEAN EU
SUBJECT: ASEAN TAC: EU EXPERIENCE
REF: STATE 20228
1. (SBU) This is in response to Reftel request for
information on the EU experience with regard to accession to
the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC). While the
European Union would like to accede to the TAC, our European
Commission interlocutors tell us that it may be some time
before negotiations start on accession. Since the TAC does
not allow non-state actors to accede in its current form,
ASEAN has had to agree on a so-called "Third Protocol" that
would allow "regional integration organizations" like the EU,
but not run-of-the-mill international organizations like the
UN or OECD, to accede. All current TAC signatories must
ratify the Third Protocol before ASEAN can begin negotiating
with the EU. ASEAN has advised the Commission that it
expects ratification to be completed in July 2009. Further
complicating the EU's effort was French accession to the TAC
in 2007. This frustrated EC officials, who said the French
accession undermined their argument that the EU could
represent all 27 Member States. Our interlocutor did not
know whether France would withdraw from the TAC once the EU
accedes.
2. (SBU) Since the EU does not expect to begin serious talks
about accession until after the Third Protocol has been
ratified, they have no experience to offer in the areas
sought by reftel.
MURRAY
.