Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09THEHAGUE270
2009-04-24 16:13:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
NETHERLANDS/EU: DUTCH VIEWS ON APRIL GAERC
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHTC #0270 1141613 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 241613Z APR 09 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2787 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000270
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EU NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/EU: DUTCH VIEWS ON APRIL GAERC
REF: A. FALLS-GIAUQUE EMAIL 4-20-09
B. THE HAGUE 135
Dutch FM Verhagen's letter to parliament, reported at ref A,
reviewed the GAERC agenda for April 27-28. In a briefing for
allied diplomats on April 22, EU Deputy Correspondent Rochus
Pronk and senior policy officer Peter Jan Kleiweg made the
following points:
-- Southern Corridor: The Netherlands believes this Czech
initiative is important given the Netherlands' dependence on
foreign fuel and participation in the Nordstream project.
-- European Partnership: The May 7 summit of the EU and
partner countries is important, particularly on regional
issues such as crime. However, the Netherlands does not want
the EU to give any signal suggesting prospective EU
membership. On Belarus, the EU will discourage participation
by President Lukashenko. PM Balkendende will indicate that
closer relations with Belarus depend on that country's
support for human rights.
-- Moldova: The Netherlands want to hold Moldova accountable
for the ongoing human rights. In addition, Moldova is tied
to EU internal affairs, as Romania is considering giving
passports to one million Moldovans. The Netherlands has
limits on workers from Romania coming to the Netherlands
through 2012, and Romania's decision on the passports could
have an effect on that policy.
-- MEPP: Pronk was pessimistic on making progress given the
uncertainy about Israel's new government and the PA's
reconciliation process, but the Dutch want to match the EU
and U.S. positions, with "no space" between them. The
parties should continue to follow the Quartet principles.
The Netherlands wants to continue to intensify relations with
Israel.
-- Iran: The Netherlands fully supports the two-track
approach and the U.S. decision to participate in the
discussions.
-- Georgia: The Netherlands continues to follow the
protests. The ministers will certainly discuss Russia's role.
-- Afghanistan: As a follow-up to the EU-U.S. summit, the EU
will discuss "how we can contribute" to the international
effort in Afghanistan.
GALLAGHER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EU NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/EU: DUTCH VIEWS ON APRIL GAERC
REF: A. FALLS-GIAUQUE EMAIL 4-20-09
B. THE HAGUE 135
Dutch FM Verhagen's letter to parliament, reported at ref A,
reviewed the GAERC agenda for April 27-28. In a briefing for
allied diplomats on April 22, EU Deputy Correspondent Rochus
Pronk and senior policy officer Peter Jan Kleiweg made the
following points:
-- Southern Corridor: The Netherlands believes this Czech
initiative is important given the Netherlands' dependence on
foreign fuel and participation in the Nordstream project.
-- European Partnership: The May 7 summit of the EU and
partner countries is important, particularly on regional
issues such as crime. However, the Netherlands does not want
the EU to give any signal suggesting prospective EU
membership. On Belarus, the EU will discourage participation
by President Lukashenko. PM Balkendende will indicate that
closer relations with Belarus depend on that country's
support for human rights.
-- Moldova: The Netherlands want to hold Moldova accountable
for the ongoing human rights. In addition, Moldova is tied
to EU internal affairs, as Romania is considering giving
passports to one million Moldovans. The Netherlands has
limits on workers from Romania coming to the Netherlands
through 2012, and Romania's decision on the passports could
have an effect on that policy.
-- MEPP: Pronk was pessimistic on making progress given the
uncertainy about Israel's new government and the PA's
reconciliation process, but the Dutch want to match the EU
and U.S. positions, with "no space" between them. The
parties should continue to follow the Quartet principles.
The Netherlands wants to continue to intensify relations with
Israel.
-- Iran: The Netherlands fully supports the two-track
approach and the U.S. decision to participate in the
discussions.
-- Georgia: The Netherlands continues to follow the
protests. The ministers will certainly discuss Russia's role.
-- Afghanistan: As a follow-up to the EU-U.S. summit, the EU
will discuss "how we can contribute" to the international
effort in Afghanistan.
GALLAGHER