Finnish government prepared for Iraqi reconstruction

Government Information Unit
Press release 280/2003
26 September, 2003



The President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy, in a joint meeting on Friday, September 26 discussed the current situation in Iraq, Finland’s participation in the reconstruction of that country, and the ongoing debate in the UN Security Council.

Finland will be participating in the donor conference for the reconstruction of Iraq to be held in Madrid on October 23-24. Finland’s contribution is under preparation. For the purpose of the conference, the main needs in the reconstruction of Iraq have been studied in various sectors. The purpose of these studies is to provide a foundation for the contributions to be pledged at the conference.

For Finland, the most interesting sectors are those in which we have national expertise, including the building of institutions and promoting the rule of law, improving the status of women and children, and health care, education and water supply. Several Finnish companies are interested in winning contracts in the reconstruction work in Iraq; many of them have previous experience of working in the country.

Finland will be represented at the Madrid conference by the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Paula Lehtomäki.

Further information: Director General Maria Serenius, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 6212