Estonian Response for November GAERC

UNCLAS TALLINN 000331 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL EUN EN SUBJECT: Estonian Response for November GAERC REF: KONICK EMAIL NOVEMBER 10 ¶1. Pol Chief delivered reftel points to Kristina Meius, Director of the MFA's European Affairs Division on November 12. Meius provided a laundry list of topics for the November Jumbo GAERC, including: ¶2. Russia: EU Foreign Ministers will discuss Russia in advance of the November 18 - 19 EU-Russia Summit in Stockholm. Estonia supports the establishment of a legally binding mechanism governing trade and economic relations with Russia, and would like to see EU consensus to sign a Cross Border Cooperation Financial Agreement. According to Meius, the Swedish Presidency will address environmental issues at the summit, seeking to influence Russia to take positive actions at COP-15. Estonia is concerned about he deteriorating human rights situation in Russia. ¶3. Ukraine: FMs will discuss border relations with Ukraine in advance of the December 4 EU-Ukraine Summit in Kyiv. Estonia supports an open dialogue with Ukraine, conclusion of an Association Agreement, would like to see a Free Trade Agreement, and is glad a discussion on visa issues has opened. Estonia will encourage Ukraine to be constructive with the IMF, and wants Ukraine to reform its gas sector and increase energy efficiency in industry to lower risks of further gas crises. The GOE also hopes Ukraine will lower emissions and continue constitutional reforms. ¶4. ESTP: Estonia has three goals in discussing European Security and Defense Policy: stressing the importance of developing civil capabilities, providing qualified personnel, and addressing the lack of personnel in Afghanistan. ¶5. Belarus: Belarus has fallen off the GAERC agenda since the EU has already agreed to extend both economic sanctions and the suspension of certain sanctions. ¶6. MEPP: The FM GAERC may discuss the November 9 Obama-Netanyahu meeting. ¶7. BiH: A joint FM-Defense Ministers session will discuss Operation Althea in Bosnia. If the situation allows, Estonia supports transforming Althea into training and advising mission. Estonia also supports continued use of the Berlin+ format for talks. ¶8. Somalia: Somalia has fallen off the agenda of the FM meeting, but will be discussed by Defense Ministers. Estonia supports Operation Atalanta, but would like to see greater cooperation between the EU, UN and NATO. Estonia wants the EU to give greater support to Somalia's transitional government, believes building the transitional government's security forces is essential, and supports AMISOM. DECKER