Supporting the stabilisation of Afghanistan
Government Communications Unit
Press Release 249/2007
14 September 2007
On Friday, 14 September, the President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed Finland's contribution to the stabilisation process of Afghanistan, lead nation responsibilities in relation to the crisis management operation in Kosovo and preparations for a possible EU operation in Chad and the Central African Republic.
The meeting discussed Finland’s future participation in crisis management in Afghanistan, development cooperation, humanitarian aid and other forms of assistance. Finland is committed to long-term support for Afghanistan. The intention is to deepen both military and civil sector cooperation with Sweden and Norway in Northern Afghanistan. Finland will continue its participation in the Nato-led ISAF operation and investigate possibilities to alternate with Sweden in a Provincial Reconstruction Team. Finland’s purpose is to participate in ISAF’s Operational Mentoring and Liaison Teams (OMLT) which occupy a prominent role in the training of Afghanistan’s army and police force.
Increases in material aid will be considered as part of training support for the Afghan army. Finland will investigate possibilities of increasing its participation in the EU’s police and rule-of-law mission. It will also explore ways of developing civil crisis management training to support the Afghan authorities. The focus will on the level and targeting of development aid and humanitarian support on the basis of a comprehensive evaluation and needs mapping of development cooperation between Finland and Afghanistan. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will increase humanitarian aid to Afghanistan already this year.
The President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy decided to launch preparations and provisions for a possible EU operation in Chad and the Central African Republic. The preparatory measures include the possible deployment of three staff officers, currently at standby, to the operation headquarters. The EU operation for the protection of the refugee camps brought about by the Darfur crisis contributes to the UN’s broad-based international presence in the area.
It was also decided that Finland will announce its readiness to take over as Lead Nation in the Multinational Task Force Centre of the Nato-led KFOR operation in Kosovo. Previously, Finland held the lead nation status in 2004-2005. Later this year, as the negotiation process on Kosovo’s status proceeds, a committee will be set up to provide a comprehensive overview of the situation in Kosovo.
Further information: Pertti Torstila, State Secretary, tel. +358 9 160 5011 and Anu Laamanen, Deputy Director General, tel. +358 9 1605 5519, Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Mari Eteläpää, Head of Unit, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 9 1608 8135 and Antti Pelttari, Director General, Ministry of the Interior, tel. +358 9 1604 2290