FINLAND: COMMENTS ON APRIL GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L HELSINKI 000149 SIPDIS EUR/ERA FOR JEFFREY GIAUQUE, EUR/NB FOR MIGUEL RODRIGUES E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2019 TAGS: PREL EUN PGOV FI SUBJECT: FINLAND: COMMENTS ON APRIL GAERC REF: A. GIAUQUE EMAIL DTD 04/17/2009 ¶B. GIAUQUE EMAIL DTD 4/21/2009 Classified By: PolChief Brandon for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. PolOff met with Finnish MFA Deputy European Correspondent Markku Lampinen on April 23. Lampinen previewed all of the EU agenda items. The Government of Finland (GoF) believes that efforts should be made to encourage the new Israeli government to honor the commitments made by the previous government, including the two-state solution. Lampinen said that the Syria Association Agreement (SAA) could provide an instrument for engagement in the Middle East. Lampinen said that the GoF supports an increased EU role in and contributions to Afghanistan and support for UNAMA. On Burma, he said that the GoF supports dialogue but reiterated the GoF's strong belief that sanctions remain in place until Burma improves. He characterized the bulk of the Ukraine's issues as internal and also hoped that improvement of the Romanian-Moldovan situation will take EU discussions in the direction of Moldovan development. He said that the GoF would like Slovenia and Croatia to take their border dispute to a separate venue outside the EU accession process. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) EUROPE: Lampinen said that under General Affairs and Enlargement, the GoF would like to see the bilateral border dispute between Slovenia and Croatia resolved outside the accession framework. European Neighborhood Policy (ENP), while a routine agenda item this GAERC, could include some discussion of the association agreement (SAA) for Syria. Lampinen said that the Syrian track in the Middle East may offer progress and the SAA would be a good instrument toward engagement. He also noted that while the EU included Ukraine on the agenda, the EU could not get involved in Ukraine's internal disputes. Lampinen said that illegal migration is included in the agenda at the request of Malta and Italy and that it should be addressed to find an EU-level solution to support the Member States who are most affected. Lampinen touched briefly on the Romanian-Moldovan dispute over visas and alleged Romanian backing of Moldovan demonstrations only to say that he hoped their dispute would not dominate EU discussions since the situation seems to have improved lately and EU discussions should focus on Moldovan development. On Transatlantic Relations, he noted that some members want to see regular EU-U.S. meetings institutionalized and he thought it would not be likely. He personally recognized that the EU will have to "deliver more" in general but characterized the recent U.S. visits as "welcome and positive." Lampinen expressed hope that the U.S. will participate in the Troika Summit in June. ¶3. (C) BURMA AND ASIA: Lampinen said that EU conclusions support peaceful transformation to a legitimate civilian government with an eye to improving social and economic conditions and fighting poverty. Further, Burma can address challenges only through a comprehensive dialogue: They need to recognize the need for reform, carry out successful elections and free political prisoners. He stated that the EU renewed the common position on sanctions for another year and that the EU would reconsider only with positive developments in Burma. He also said that, as part of the conclusions, the EU will express a desire to meet with the Government of Burma in connection with the ASEAN meeting and further urges the Government of Burma to cooperate closely with the international community. He continued that the EU will renew its support for the UN and EU Special Representatives to Burma. Lampinen stated that the EU conclusions on Burma represent GoF thinking on the opening of dialogue while not/not giving up sanctions as it would send the wrong signal. The GoF supports Burma's holding elections next year that are truly free. The GoF's position includes EU support for regional actors' positive actions on Burma as well; Lampinen cited Indonesia and China in particular. Lampinen separately expects a situation report on Sri Lanka. ¶4. (C) THE MIDDLE EAST: Lampinen said that the EU would send a message to the Israeli Government to fully engage at the level of the previous government on Annapolis and the two-state solution. He said that the EU should have a pragmatic approach to a unity government if and when one forms. Lampinen also expects some discussion of "shared experiences" in the aftermath of the EU walk out at Durban. ¶5. (C) AFGHANISTAN, PAKISTAN AND IRAN: Lampinen said that Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran would be covered during a brainstorming discussion over lunch. On Afghanistan, Lampinen remarked that the U.S. view is closer to the EU view under the new Afghanistan Pakistan strategy as the EU sees development cooperation and civilian crisis management as most important to stabilization and strengthening government. He said that the GoF supports a strong role for UNAMA and that the EU should increase its role and contribution in stabilizing Afghanistan. Lampinen also said that the GoF favors an EU election observation mission to Afghanistan if security conditions permit. For Pakistan, he commented that an EU-Pakistan Summit should be organized during the Swedish EU Presidency. Lampinen added that as to Iran, he believes that the EU conclusions will support EU unity and cooperation with the U.S. BUTLER