Finland's participation in crisis management tasks
Government Communications Unit
Press release 417/2006
17.11.2006
On Friday, 17 November, the President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed Finland's participation in military and civilian crisis management operations in the forthcoming years and a report to be submitted to the Finnish Parliament on putting a Finnish battle group section on high alert as part of the EU battle group formed by Finland, the Netherlands and Germany that is on standby between 1 January and 30 June 2007.
Finland will continue its participation in international crisis management operations and the development of crisis management capabilities through cooperation within the EU, UN, NATO and OSCE and through other international cooperation. Finland has deployed nearly a thousand soldiers (945) in 12 military crisis management operations currently underway, the UNIFIL operation in Lebanon being the latest. Finland participates in nearly all EU civilian crisis management operations and several other civil operations. Finland’s participation in international operations is demonstrated in the enclosed map.
The main aim of key projects in the next few years will be to ensure operational capability of EU battle groups and to prepare for possible operations. Finland will continue its participation in the Western Balkans operations in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina, although the aim is to downscale troops according to the situation, national evaluations and the guidelines given by the organisations leading these operations. Finland will also keep the current level of participation in the ISAF operation in Afghanistan. In addition, Finland participates in the provision of training and expert functions for example in Africa utilising EU crisis management training systems.
The EU will continue to develop its civilian crisis management capabilities. Kosovo will be the largest operational challenge in the next few years. A broad-based rule of law mission planned to be led by the EU in Kosovo in mid-2007 will be the biggest EU-led civilian crisis management operation so far with regard to its extent and area. Finland will make preparations to be able to participate in possible future civilian crisis management operations as well.
Further information: Kimmo Lähdevirta, Head of the Unit for Security Policy, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 160 5480, Anu Laamanen, Head of the Unit for Civilian Crisis Management, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5480, Olli-Pekka Jalonen, Director of International Defence Policy Unit, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 9 1608 8154
Finland's participation in crisis management tasks (Opens New Window)