US embassy cable - 05THEHAGUE3214

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 003214 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, RS, NL 
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/RUSSIA: DUTCH SUPPORT PLANNED 
U.S.-RUSSIAN CONSULTATIONS ON REGIONAL CIS ISSUES 
 
REF: SECSTATE 214783 
 
Classified By: Acting DCM Andrew Schofer for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d). 
 
1. (C) The Dutch believe enhanced U.S. - Russia dialogue 
regarding regional policy issues "could only be good for the 
region."  Henk Voskamp (Deputy Director, Southeast and 
Eastern Europe Division, MFA) shared this information with 
poloff in response to reftel points on November 30.  The 
Dutch share our interest in fostering dialogue with Russia 
and are eager to coordinate activities with the U.S.; Voskamp 
explained that his boss, Jan Lukas van Hoorn, is currently in 
Washington to discuss fostering complementarity of EU and 
U.S. approaches to Russian regional policy. 
 
2. (C) The Dutch believe such harmonization will require 
relatively little adjustment.  Voskamp said the objectives of 
the "European Neighborhood Policy" with regard to Russia 
closely resemble those put forward in reftel points and 
pointed to the recent establishment of the EU Border 
Assistance Mission to Transnistria as evidence.  Voskamp also 
mentioned that, during Russian President Putin's recent visit 
to The Hague, Dutch Foreign Minister Bot discussed Russia's 
policy in the Baltic States with Russian Foreign Minister 
Lavrov. 
 
3. (C) The shrinking geographic distance between the EU and 
Russia has catalyzed EU interest in Russian regional policy. 
Voskamp explained that there is a "heightened sense" within 
the EU that "the Moldova border issue should be settled" 
before Romania's accession to the EU in two years, at which 
time Moldova will border the EU. 
BLAKEMAN