Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TALLINN267
2009-09-10 13:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tallinn
Cable title:
Estonian Response to September GAERC Points
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UNCLAS TALLINN 000267
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/ERA ALESSANDRO NARDI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN EN
SUBJECT: Estonian Response to September GAERC Points
REF: SEPTEMBER 5 NARDI EMAIL
UNCLAS TALLINN 000267
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/ERA ALESSANDRO NARDI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN EN
SUBJECT: Estonian Response to September GAERC Points
REF: SEPTEMBER 5 NARDI EMAIL
1. Pol Chief delivered reftel points to Kristina Meius, Director of
the MFA's European Division, on September 10. Meius provided the
following responses:
2. Iran: Iran was discussed the previous week at the Gymnich, and
there is little new. The GOE believes diplomatic pressure must
remain on Iran to counter the deteriorating human rights situation,
and supports starting discussions on EU sanctions if Iran does not
provide a satisfactory answer to the IAEA on its nuclear program.
3. South Caucasus: Meius said the Presidency would table a plan to
move forward with "draft negotiation directives to Georgia, Armenia
and Azerbaijan, based on the principles of inclusion,
differentiation, and conditionality." Meius clarified that this
includes association agreements, free trade agreements, and visa
liberalization. While the EU will provide equal attention to all
three, the pace of negotiations will depend on each country.
4. Sri Lanka: Meius stated that this topic has been postponed until
the October GAERC as the Swedish Presidency wanted to give the
situation more time to develop. However, European Political
Directors will discuss Sri Lanka at their next meeting as well.
5. Brazilian Visas: Estonia tabled the topic, supported by Latvia,
Cyprus and Malta, of Brazilian visas. Meius explained that
citizens of these four countries need visas to visit Brazil, while
citizens of all other EU member states do not. After five years'
of talks on a short-stay visa waiver, Meius said the GOE has grown
frustrated. Estonia and the other three are pushing for internal
EU consensus so the topic could be resolved during the October 6
EU-Brazil Summit. She added that Brazilian citizens do not need
visas to visit any EU states.
6. Visas for Czechs: Meius also said the GAERC would discuss
Canada's recent decision to reinstate a requirement that Czech
citizens receive a visa before traveling to Canada. She explained
that Canada had problems with high numbers of Czech Roma entering
the country and claiming asylum, and so now demands Czech citizens
receive visas. However, Estonia supports the principle of equal
treatment for all EU members, and is in favor of urging Canada to
lift this requirement. Pol Chief asked if the GOE supports that
principle also regarding the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, as some
countries - including Estonia - had recently joined while others,
such as Poland, do not meet the criteria. Meius opined that if VWP
was raised in a similar context, Estonia would likely keep a low
profile.
DECKER
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/ERA ALESSANDRO NARDI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN EN
SUBJECT: Estonian Response to September GAERC Points
REF: SEPTEMBER 5 NARDI EMAIL
1. Pol Chief delivered reftel points to Kristina Meius, Director of
the MFA's European Division, on September 10. Meius provided the
following responses:
2. Iran: Iran was discussed the previous week at the Gymnich, and
there is little new. The GOE believes diplomatic pressure must
remain on Iran to counter the deteriorating human rights situation,
and supports starting discussions on EU sanctions if Iran does not
provide a satisfactory answer to the IAEA on its nuclear program.
3. South Caucasus: Meius said the Presidency would table a plan to
move forward with "draft negotiation directives to Georgia, Armenia
and Azerbaijan, based on the principles of inclusion,
differentiation, and conditionality." Meius clarified that this
includes association agreements, free trade agreements, and visa
liberalization. While the EU will provide equal attention to all
three, the pace of negotiations will depend on each country.
4. Sri Lanka: Meius stated that this topic has been postponed until
the October GAERC as the Swedish Presidency wanted to give the
situation more time to develop. However, European Political
Directors will discuss Sri Lanka at their next meeting as well.
5. Brazilian Visas: Estonia tabled the topic, supported by Latvia,
Cyprus and Malta, of Brazilian visas. Meius explained that
citizens of these four countries need visas to visit Brazil, while
citizens of all other EU member states do not. After five years'
of talks on a short-stay visa waiver, Meius said the GOE has grown
frustrated. Estonia and the other three are pushing for internal
EU consensus so the topic could be resolved during the October 6
EU-Brazil Summit. She added that Brazilian citizens do not need
visas to visit any EU states.
6. Visas for Czechs: Meius also said the GAERC would discuss
Canada's recent decision to reinstate a requirement that Czech
citizens receive a visa before traveling to Canada. She explained
that Canada had problems with high numbers of Czech Roma entering
the country and claiming asylum, and so now demands Czech citizens
receive visas. However, Estonia supports the principle of equal
treatment for all EU members, and is in favor of urging Canada to
lift this requirement. Pol Chief asked if the GOE supports that
principle also regarding the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, as some
countries - including Estonia - had recently joined while others,
such as Poland, do not meet the criteria. Meius opined that if VWP
was raised in a similar context, Estonia would likely keep a low
profile.
DECKER