Wikileaks - DLXXIX

92343 1/12/2007 10:19 07ANKARA58 Embassy Ankara UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY VZCZCXRO6527 RR RUEHDA DE RUEHAK #0058 0121019 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 121019Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0549 INFO RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 7725 RUEHKB/AMEMBASSY BAKU 1442 RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 0085 RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST 0952 RUEHCH/AMEMBASSY CHISINAU 0446 RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV 0008 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 5512 RUEHSF/AMEMBASSY SOFIA 1121 RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI 3085 RUEHTI/AMEMBASSY TIRANA 0256 RUEHYE/AMEMBASSY YEREVAN 1259 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 1914 RUEHDA/AMCONSUL ADANA 1518 UNCLAS ANKARA 000058

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E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV, ECON, TU SUBJECT: BSEC: TURKEY ASKS FOR FLESHED OUT PROPOSAL ON ENVIRONMENT

06 STATE 162288 06 ANKARA 6154 Istanbul draft

1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Turkey seeks to coordinate with the U.S. and the EU as it composes its strategy for its BSEC chairmanship starting in May 2007. Its priority areas are trade and development, transportation, energy security and safety, organized crime, and environment. Turkey asks that the U.S. flesh out its proposal for a workshop on environment enforcement in a written product. End Summary.

2. (SBU) In a January 8 meeting, MFA DDG Ahmet Asim Arar said Turkey is formulating a strategy paper in advance of its six-month BSEC chairmanship commencing in May. He said Turkey wants to harmonize its strategies with the EU and the U.S. and noted that the European Commission is also formulating a Black Sea strategy that it aims to roll it out at the June EU Summit. By coincidence, BSEC's Istanbul Summit will occur 2-3 days later, offering an opportunity to build on the EU approach. Arar hoped that the U.S. too could make a contribution that fits into Turkey's Chairmanship.

3. (SBU) Arar expressed support for the U.S. idea of BSEC hosting a workshop on environmental enforcement best practices (refs), suggesting that the U.S flesh it out as a written concrete proposal for presentation to the PERMIS. He suggested that the U.S. consider making the submission in advance of the next meeting of the environmental protection working group, which will be held March 14-15 in Istanbul (chaired by Turkey). Arar also noted that there should eventually be consultation with the Black Sea Commission. He said BSEC had a seed project feasibility fund that can fund up to $15,000 to help start projects. He admitted that observers have not yet played such an active role in BSEC, but he welcomed the U.S. setting a precedent for a more dynamic observer-hip.

4. (SBU) Arar said Turkey would also welcome U.S. ideas for projects in trade and transportation. He described Turkey's current Black Sea trade facilitation project, which is being implemented in cooperation with the UNDP. The project envisions carrying out market and company product surveys, followed by a buyer-seller matchmaking forum. Wilson