EU crisis management operation in Libya

Government Communications Unit
Press release 98/2011
5.4.2011

On Tuesday, 5 April, the President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the situation in Libya and the measures taken by the international community. The EU adopted a decision on 1 April 2011 concerning preparations for a European Union military operation in support of humanitarian assistance in Libya. A separate decision will be made to launch the operation provided that the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) so requests.

Finland will continue to follow the Libyan situation and prepare for further measures to alleviate the crisis. Finland will also participate in the planning of the European Union Operation EUFOR Libya. Should OCHA make a request for EU-level action and therefore make the question of Finland’s other military participation of current relevance, decisions will be made in accordance with the Act on Military Crisis Management.

Inquiries: Anu Laamanen, Deputy Director General, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5519 and Arto Räty, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 9 1608 8101