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