Finland preparing to deploy Defence Forces troops to Afghanistan

Finland has proposed deploying military forces to support the Foreign Ministry’s relief team carrying out the evacuation operation in Kabul. The decision to send troops is being made in accordance with the Act on Decision-making on the Provision of and Request for International Assistance. This is the first time the Act is being applied.

Decisions on international assistance, which may include the use of military force in particularly demanding situations, require a report to be submitted to Parliament. The Government submitted its report on the matter to Parliament today . The Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament will consider the matter as early as Friday morning, after which it will proceed to Parliament’s plenary session for a decision. After consulting with Parliament, the President of the Republic will decide on the deployment of troops.

During the operation, the unit assigned to the mission will operate under the national leadership of Finland. The troops will operate only at Kabul International Airport and in its immediate vicinity.

Inquiries:

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Piritta Asunmaa, Director General, Department for the Americas and Asia, tel. +358 50 477 7616

Kaija Suvanto, Director General of the Legal Service, tel. +358 40 593 6076

Ministry of Defence:

Janne Kuusela, Deputy Director General, tel. +358 295 140206