Foreign Minister Tuomioja goes to the international Counter-ISIL Coalition meeting in Brussels

Press Release 267/2014
2 December 2014

Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja will attend the international Counter-ISIL Coalition meeting to be held in Brussels on Wednesday, 3 December. The aim of the meeting is to discuss cooperation and to coordinate the efforts of participating countries in opposing ISIL as well as to establish guidelines for future cooperation. The meeting will be chaired by US Secretary of State John Kerry.

At present about 60 countries participate in cooperation to counter ISIL. Each country participates and provides support as permitted by its own resources. Finland participates in international cooperation to counter ISIL through development cooperation supporting Syria and its neighbouring states (Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey). Finland also grants humanitarian aid to assist ISIL’s victims.

This year Finland’s development cooperation support amounts to about 12 million euros and humanitarian aid to over 11 million. Finland does not participate in anti-ISIL combat action nor does Finland supply weapons. Finland is currently exploring the possibility to participate in the training of Iraqi army and security forces taking place under the leadership of Germany.

Additional information: Director General Jarno Syrjälä, Department for Africa and the Middle East, tel. tel. +358 295 351 891 and Chief of Cabinet Tarja Kangaskorte, mobile tel. +358 40 181 9257.