Finland’s participation in international crisis management

Government Communications Unit

Press Release 122/2009
24 April 2009

The President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed Friday (24 April) Finland’s participation in international crisis management.

Finland aims to maintain the current level of participation in military crisis management.

As regards Afghanistan, preparations will continue for the appointment of about 30 military trainers to duties promoting the training and development of the national security forces in the Finnish troops’ area of operations in Northern Afghanistan.

Finland will continue its participation in the UN operation in Chad with some 80 troops. In addition, possibilities to strengthen Finland’s role in the EU naval operation off the Somali coast will be examined.

The number of troops serving in the KFOR operation in Kosovo and the EU Operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina is to be reduced. Finland continues in command of the central KFOR battle group as the framework nation.

Finland will increase its participation in civilian crisis management in accordance with the Government Security and Defence Policy Report. Finland takes part in the EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) in Kosovo with some 60 experts including police officers, judges, prosecutors, experts of prison administration and border guards. Further priorities in the field of civilian crisis management include the EU missions in Afghanistan and Georgia.

The meeting also discussed Prime Minister Vanhanen’s visit to China and the state visit of the President of Russia to Finland.

Further information: Pilvi-Sisko Vierros, Director General, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5033 and Helena Partanen, Defence Counsellor, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 9 1608 8135