A report to be submitted on crisis management operations and studies on NRF to be continued
Government Communications Unit
Press release 304/2007
26.10.2007
On Friday, 26 October, the President of the Republic of Finland and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the Finnish participation in the international crisis management operations in Afghanistan, Chad and the Central African Republic and the placement of a contingent on high readiness as part of the EU battle group’s standby period from 1 January to 30 June 2008. A report on the aforementioned issues will be submitted to the Parliament. The meeting also discussed Finland’s possible participation in the supplementary activities of the NATO Response Force.
The President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy consider it important that Finland continues to participate actively in efforts supporting the stabilisation of Afghanistan. In 2008, the intention is also to participate in the activities of the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Teams (OMLT) training the Afghan forces. The OMLT teams play a central role in training Afghanistan’s own army. Finland will also examine possibilities to increase participation in the Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT).
Later on this year, a report will be submitted to the Parliament on the overall support to Afghanistan and on Finland’s contribution to its various sectors including civilian crisis management, development cooperation and humanitarian aid.
The meeting specified Finland’s participation in the EU’s military crisis management operation in Chad and the Central African Republic. Finland prepares to deploy a force protection troop (30-40 soldiers), necessary service and support elements and two to four staff officers to the operation. The operation is to provide support to the efforts to improve humanitarian and security situation in the near neighborhood of Sudan and to create conditions for the return of refugees. The EU operation supports the activities of the UN in the area and is part of the measures by the international community to resolve the crisis in Darfur.
During the first half of 2008, Finland will take part, together with Sweden, Estonia, Ireland and Norway, in the standby period of the European Union’s Nordic Battle Group. Finland's contribution to the battle group will be 221 soldiers who will constitute a mortar detachment, an NBC detachment and an intelligence, early warning and human interest detachment.
The President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy also discussed Finland's possible participation in the supplementary activities of the NATO Response Force (NRF) as part of efforts to strengthen Finland’s rapid reaction crisis management capabilities. The meeting decided that studies on and preparations for Finland’s possible participation in the NRF supplementary activities will be continued. Participation in NRF exercises will be based on earlier agreed guidelines.
Further information: Anu Laamanen, Deputy Director General, tel. +358 9 160 55519, Mari Eteläpää, Head of Unit, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 9 160 88135 and Timo Kantola, Head of Unit, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 160 55480.