Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy decides on participation in international exercises

Government Communications Unit

Press Release 475/2006
22 December 2006

On Friday, 22 December 2006, the President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the participation of the Finnish Defence Forces in international exercises in 2007.

According to the plan, all branches of the armed forces will participate in international exercises as in previous years. The principles of participation remain the same as in recent years and operations will focus on exercises involving the Finnish sections of EU battle groups.

Participation in international exercises helps build up a solid national defence force and enhances the capabilities needed to participate in international crisis management. The exercises aim to improve the interoperability and the capabilities of Finnish forces in line with the guidelines laid down in the Government’s Security and Defence Policy Report of 2004.

The Ministry of Defence and the Finnish armed forces each agreed on their own arrangements for better dissemination of information on exercises.

Further information: Olli-Pekka Jalonen, Head of Unit, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 9 1608 8154