VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTL #0128 0601311
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 011311Z MAR 07 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY TALLINN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9569
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0081
RUEHSS/OECD POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHRA/AMEMBASSY RIGA 2853
RUEHVL/AMEMBASSY VILNIUS 6609
RUEHLJ/AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA 0092

UNCLAS TALLINN 000128 
 
SIPDIS 
 
PARIS PASS USOECD 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OECD ECON EN
 
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR USG SUPPORT FOR ESTONIAN MEMBERSHIP 
IN OECD 
 
 
¶1. (U) Action Request ? please see para (6). 
 
¶2. (SBU) During a meeting with Charge on February 28, 
Reimo Pettai, MFA?s Director for International 
Cooperation/External Policy urged the USG to support 
Estonia?s bid for OECD membership during the current 
enlargement discussions. Pettai cited five primary 
reasons why Estonia should be an invited to begin 
accession negotiations during the next Ministerial 
Council Meeting in May: 
 
-- The GOE has made OECD membership a priority.  Estonia 
values the expertise the OECD offers and notes OECD 
principles correspond with GOE policy priorities. 
 
-- It is important that the OECD offer membership to more 
than just the ?big countries.? Estonia would enhance the 
OECD?s credibility in offering advice to countries and 
regions that have historically been less willing to 
engage in economic policy discussions with the OECD. 
 
-- Estonia is well qualified for membership.  Estonia has 
been active as an observer in OECD working groups and 
committees.  Estonia participated in the OECD?s Baltic 
Regional Program from 1998-2004.  This program has served 
as an example for other regions and as an excellent 
platform for Estonia?s membership aspirations. 
 
-- Estonia is willing to pay costs associated with 
membership, including both the fees directly related to 
the accession process as well as membership dues. 
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet recently reiterated this 
message to the OECD Deputy Secretary General.  The MFA 
has had an earmark for OECD membership dues in its budget 
for the past 2-3 years. 
 
-- Estonia?s own successful economic reform experience 
will be of great benefit to the OECD.  As a member, 
Estonia can play a valuable role in mentoring other 
countries involved in economic and structural reform. 
Estonia is very interested in contributing to the work of 
the OECD?s Development Assistance Committee (DAC). 
However, the DAC only accepts OECD members and 
international organizations as observers. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Pettai highlighted that Estonia (and Slovenia) 
were mentioned as ?near term? membership candidates in 
the OECD Secretary General?s letter to members listing 
the countries which should be invited to join.  He 
acknowledged the key role the United States will play in 
the decision on which countries will be invited and urged 
the USG to support Estonia?s candidacy. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Pettai admitted that, although the EU?s position 
is that all of its members should be offered OECD 
membership, the GOE understands it will not be possible 
for all 8 new EU members to be included in the current 
enlargement.  While discussions within the EU on this are 
likely to be ?difficult,? Pettai expressed confidence the 
EU would ultimately accept a compromise. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) Pettai informed Charge that MFA Political 
Department Director General Aivo Orav will be in 
Washington March 1-2 for e-Pine as well as bilateral 
meetings in the Department.  Pettai noted that the 
Estonian Embassy has requested meetings for Orav with EUR 
PDAS Volker and EEB PDAS Dibble on March 2.  Estonia?s 
interest in OECD membership will be on Orav?s agenda for 
discussion at these meetings. 
 
¶6. (U) Action request:  Embassy requests Department 
provide front channel guidance on a response to the GOE?s 
request for USG support for Estonia?s candidacy by mid- 
March.  (Note:  Pettai said he planned to attend OECD- 
related meetings in Paris in mid-March.) 
 
GOLDSTEIN