Cablegate: The View From Helsinki: Preparing for the High

VZCZCXYZ0034
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHHE #1064 2930512
ZNY CCCCC ZZH (CCY ADX3A45E5T WSC5630 425A)
R 200512Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2625
RHEBAAA/DOE WASHDC
RUEADWW/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L HELSINKI 001064

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D COPY(REMOVING DOD AND ADDING DOE ADDEES)

STATE FOR U/S DOBRIANSKY, OES
STATE PASS TO EPA/GWAXMONSKY AND RMEYERS
DOE FOR U/S GARMAN
WHITE HOUSE FOR CEQ/DBANKS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2016
TAGS: SENV ENRG EUN FI
SUBJECT: THE VIEW FROM HELSINKI: PREPARING FOR THE HIGH
LEVEL DIALOGUE ON CLIMATE CHANGE, CLEAN ENERGY AND
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Classified By: Ambassador Marilyn Ware for reasons 1.5b and d.

1. (SBU) Because of their long-held interest in climate
change and related issues, and their keen interest in
launching this dialogue during their Presidency to find areas
of common ground for the US and EU, the Finns asserted
themselves with the Commission in a manner we have not seen
on other issues. They worked behind the scenes with the
Commission to develop a compromise agenda that moves past the
sterile debate on targets and timetables to a more useful
discussion of practical steps the U.S. and EU can take
together. Finnish officials, including the Minister of
Environment, have stated that they view the HLD as one of the
most important events of their Presidency.

2. (C) The HLD will be co-chaired by Finnish Minister of
Environment Jan-Erik.Enestam and Finnish Minster of Trade and
Industry Mauri Pekkarinen. The contrast between the two could
not be more striking. Enestam is a popular and personable
politician who considers himself a close friend of the U.S.
and a strong supporter of the transatlantic relationship. He
has announced that he is leaving the government at the end of
the Finnish EU Presidency. He therefore has a personal
interest in making the HLD a success. A former Defense
Minister, Enestam is dynamic and charismatic, with a firm
command of English. He is likely to be the natural lead on
the Finnish side.

3. (C) By contrast, Pekkarinen is a somber leader who
oversees a diverse collection of issues, including energy and
energy security, at the Ministry of Trade and Industry. A
strong advocate of biofuels and developing energy
technologies, Pekkarinen envisions a "constructive meeting"
that addresses both energy security and climate change.
Although Pekkarinen is highly competent, his lack of charisma
may explain the Finns' initial reluctance to provide
Pekkarinen a co-chair role, rather than an effort to avoid an
energy discussion.

4. (C) Unlike some in the EU and the Commission, the Finns
understand and agree with our approach to finding concrete
tools to maximize the synergies between the promotion of
energy security, sustainable energy supply, innovation and
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. During preparation for
the HLD, officials in both the Finnish Environment and Trade
and Industry Ministries have highlighted the strong link
between climate and energy issues. Nonetheless, as Elina
Kalkku, MFA Director General for the Americas and Asia, has
noted, it has been &quite an innovation8 to gather Finnish
and EU energy and environment officials together, an
innovation Finland hopes will be one lasting legacy of its EU
Presidency.
WARE

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