Cablegate: Estonian Response for November Gaerc

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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

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