Finland preparing to participate in an OSCE monitoring mission in Georgia

Government Communications Unit

Press release 228/2008
20.8.2008

The OSCE will strengthen its presence in Georgia and increase the number of military monitoring officers by up to 100. The first 20 military monitoring officers are to be deployed in the crisis area immediately. On the basis of the proposal of the current EU Presidency France and the OSCE Chairmanship, the monitoring officers' duties are to monitor the cease-fire and observe the humanitarian situation.

The meeting between the President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy has discussed Finland’s participation in the OSCE mission in Georgia. Finland is making preparations for the deployment of up to ten military monitoring officers in Georgia. The aim is that the first Finnish monitoring officers are sent to preparatory duties in the operating area within the next few days and the rest of them as soon as possible.

Further information: Timo Kantola, Head of Unit, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5480