Finland’s participation in UN crisis management operation in Chad and the Central African Republic

Government Communications Unit
Press Release 60/2009
25 February 2009

On Wednesday, 25 February, the President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed Finland's participation in the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT). The mandate of the European Union military crisis management operation EUFOR ending on 15 March 2009 will be transferred to the UN. Finland has around 60 soldiers in EUFOR. In the future, Finland’s participation in the operation will be raised to 80 soldiers.

The Cabinet Committee also discussed proposals for European security development and their follow-up.

The Committee also received on overview of the Eastern Partnership, part of the European Neighbourhood Policy, and the Wider Europe Initiative on bilateral development cooperation between Finland and countries in Eastern Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia.

Further information: Operation in Chad and European security: Pilvi-Sisko Vierros, Director General, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5032; Helena Partanen, Defence Counsellor, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 9 160 88135, Eastern Partnership and Wider Europe Initiative: Nina Vaskunlahti, Director General, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5038