Minister Väyrynen: Finnish peacekeepers away from Afghanistan during the coming electoral period

Press release 196/2009
16 July, 2009

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen does not accept further increases in the number of Finnish peacekeepers in Afghanistan. Väyrynen expressed his opinion when answering a question at the “Foreign Ministers on the Arena” discussion in Pori on 16 July. Väyrynen proposed that, instead, Finland should get prepared to withdraw its troops during the coming electoral period. In his opinion, Finland should start training Afghans to attend to the security of the northern regions themselves.

“Finland cannot continue its Afghanistan operation forever,” the Minister explained.

Väyrynen remarked that, of the other non-aligned EU member states, Austria and Ireland do not have any peacekeeping forces in Afghanistan.

“On the other hand, as concerns development cooperation and humanitarian activities, Finland should get prepared for long-term engagement in order to strengthen stability and promote development in Afghanistan,” Väyrynen emphasises.

Additional information: Advisor to the Minister Päivi Nevala, tel. +358 40 753 4375