Cablegate: Finnish Response - Approaching the Eu in Advance

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R 101325Z MAY 07
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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD PREL KPAL EUN FI
SUBJECT: FINNISH RESPONSE - APPROACHING THE EU IN ADVANCE
OF THE MAY 14-15 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING (GAERC)

REF: SECSTATE 60948

1. (U) PolChief delivered subject demarche to Finnish
Deputy European Correspondent Tanja Jaaskelainen May 10.
She offered the following comments:

2. (SBU) SERBIA: Jaaskelainen predicted extensive
discussions of how the EU should respond if the Serbs
miss the May 15 constitutional deadline for the
formation of a new government. A general statement of
the EU's desire to work closely with a pro-Western
government that embraces a European perspective is
likely. However, some member states are pressing for a
forward-leaning statement on the Stability and
Association Agreement (SAA), in hopes that it might
positively influence the government formation process.
Consensus on such a statement is unlikely because
several MS believe it will have no impact on the Serbs.
The Finns also oppose it because, in the absence of a
Serbian government, the EU has been unable to address
its ICTY concerns with the Belgrade. Jaaskelainen also
opined that the FMs will have to discuss at least
informally some sort of "Plan B" in response to the
strong possibility that the Serbs will miss the May 15
deadline and need to call new elections.

3. (SBU) KOSOVO: EU unity behind Ahtisaari's
recommendations remains a key Finnish national priority.
German Presidency efforts have led to "some signs of
improvement" within the Union, she said, and EU unity at
the UNSC appears to be holding. Jaaskelainen warmly
welcomed US "optimism" regarding eventual participation
in the planned Kosovo ESDP operation.

4. (SBU) RUSSIA-EU SUMMIT and ESTONIA: The Bronze Statue
incident in Estonia will likely be raised. Finland
would support a very strong statement from the EU
indicating that "Russia's intimidation toward Estonia
does not match the EU's idea of a strategic partnership"
between Russia and the EU, Jaaskelainen said.

5. (SBU) RUSSIA-EU SUMMIT and KOSOVO: Also regarding the
Summit, Jaaskelainen agreed fully that the Summit must
be used as an opportunity for urging the Russians to
allow a UNSCR on Kosovo to go forward. In Finland's
view, the EU must also continue to remind Moscow that we
do not accept the argument that Kosovo sets a precedent
for the "frozen conflicts."
HYATT

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