Crisis management and development cooperation appropriations on the increase
Press release 355/2006
12 September, 2006
In the budget proposal for 2007, a total of 973.684 million euros is proposed for the administrative sector of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The objectives for social effectiveness in the administrative sector are presented as is laid down in the Ministry's Strategy.
A total of 185.040 million euros are proposed for the operating expense item of the Foreign Service. In 2007, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will prepare its Chairmanship of the OSCE in 2008 and chair the Nordic Council of Ministers. As a part of the Foreign Service Productivity Programme, a survey focusing on the development of the operation and organisation of the administrative branch will be carried out.
A total of 746.130 million euros is proposed for international development cooperation, which corresponds to approximately 0.43 per cent of GNI. Furthermore, 582.468 million euros is proposed for class 30 of the Ministry's main title of expenditure, which covers international development cooperation. Of the development cooperation appropriations, 3.373 million euros have been transferred to the appropriations for operating expenses to be used to cover the expenses arising from the administration of development cooperation.
The sum of 22.533 million euros is proposed for neighbouring area cooperation. Based on Finland's Strategy for Cooperation in the Neighbouring Areas, adopted by the Government, the cooperation focuses on the Murmansk Region, the Republic of Karelia, Leningrad Oblast and St Petersburg.
The amount proposed for the maintenance of Finnish crisis management troops is 57.441 million euros, and 14.136 million euros is proposed for the participation of civilian personnel in crisis management tasks. It is estimated that the number of staff hired to crisis management operations (military and civilian crisis management) corresponds to about 1 100 man years in 2007. In the main title of expenditure of the Foreign Service, the crisis management operation in Lebanon in 2007 is reserved a total of 16.2 million euros. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will amend the budget proposal in this respect in autumn 2006.
Membership fees and financing contributions reserved for item 24.99.66 amount to the proposed sum of 86.323 million euros. A new item is Finland's share of 1.5 million euros for the financing of the renovation of the UN Headquarters. The sum of 1.100 million euros is proposed for the groundwork in 2007 preceding the Chairmanship of the ESCE in 2008.
Further information can be requested from: Mikko Patosuo, Manager of Financial Planning, tel: +358 9 1605 5870, Director Sinikka Antila, development cooperation, tel: +358 9 1605 6283, Senior Officer Minni Hyrkkänen, neighbouring area cooperation, tel: +358 9 1605 5610