Estonia: Response to October GAERC Points

UNCLAS TALLINN 000315 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/ERA ELIZABETH KONICK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN EN SUBJECT: Estonia: Response to October GAERC Points REF: OCTOBER 17 KONICK EMAIL ¶1. Pol Chief delivered reftel points to Kristina Meius, Director of the MFA's European Division, on October 22. Meius provided the following responses: ¶2. Afghanistan/Pakistan: Estonia believes the EU must play a more visible role in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and make this region a priority. Meius said the EU should double its EUPOL contribution to 400 people, and should increase economic and political relations with Pakistan. ¶3. Western Balkans: In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia wants a wider EU role after the Office of the High Representative closes, and believes the EU should play a more active role to integrate BH into Euro-Atlantic structures. In Albania, Estonia supports drafting a screening report soon, and believes this assessment should be purely technical in nature, rather than political. ¶4. Moldova: Estonia wants the EU to consider financial assistance to Moldova, to help that country with stability and reform. Estonia would also like to see talks on a new framework agreement with Moldova. The GOE supports democratic development in Moldova and approves of Moldova's decision to drop the visa requirement for Romanian citizens. ¶5. MEPP: Estonia supports a two state solution achieved through negotiations and following the Road Map. Meius said as part of this process Israel must halt settlement expansion, and that Arab states must play a constructive role. Estonia supports actions by the Quartet and USG to further negotiations. ¶6. Iran: The GOE thought the recent high-level 3+3 meetings in Geneva with Iran reached a number of important agreements, but that Iran must now comply with them. Iran must also prove to the world that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, and bring it in line with IAEA and UN requirements. Estonia supports a diplomatic solution, but supports further sanctions if there are is no concrete progress by the end of the year. Sanctions would ideally be imposed through the United Nations, but if that is not possible Estonia supports EU sanctions. ¶7. Sri Lanka: Meius said the GAERC would discuss the humanitarian and human rights situation in Sri Lanka, particularly in refugee camps. Estonia believes the Sri Lankan government must provide land for the return of IDPs, and must cooperate with UNHCR. Estonia also would like to see the GOSL hold peace talks with the Tamils, and wants the EU to work more closely with regional partners, such as Japan and Australia. ¶8. Somalia: Estonia believes the international community should support the transitional government, including helping to build security forces loyal to this government. The GOE supports French training for security forces. ¶9. Guinea: Estonia strongly condemns the September 28 crackdown on demonstrators, and believes the African Union should play a key role as the situation continues. The GOE supports the ECOWAS arms embargo. Estonia also wants to see sanctions against junta figures responsible for the crackdown, including an EU visa ban and possible asset freezes. DECKER