Finland prepares to provide the EU ATALANTA operation with a vessel protection detachment

Government Communications Department
Press release 196/2012
14.6.2012

On Thursday 14 June, the President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed Finland's participation in the EU-led ATALANTA operation off the Somali coast. Finland prepares to deploy to the operation a vessel protection detachment with approximately 25 soldiers for twelve months in 2013. Independent vessel protection detachments will be placed on the vessels carrying the World Food Programme (WFP) shipments.

The meeting also discussed Finland's continuation in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, an operation which is to end in 2014. In 2012, the strength of the Finnish troop will be reduced by 50 soldiers which will leave 145 soldiers in place. The aim is to strengthen Nordic cooperation and place greater emphasis on adviser functions.

As regards air surveillance in Iceland and the UN-led UNIFIL operation, the meeting received an update on the related review under preparation.

Inquiries: Kirsti Kauppi, Director General, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5033 and Esa Pulkkinen, Director General, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 9 1608 8140