Work starts on a new security and defence policy report

Government Communications Unit
Press release 287/2011
7.10.2011

On Friday, 7 October, the President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy decided to initiate the preparatory work on a new report on Finnish security and defence policy. The report is intended to be submitted to Parliament before the end of 2012.

As part of the preparatory work on the report, the launch of the reform of the Defence Forces was also discussed at the meeting. The objective of the reform is to ensure Finland's defence capability and create permanent cost savings. Implementation of the Defence Forces savings programme requires that adjustment measures are started immediately.

The work on the security and defence policy report and the structural reform of the Defence Forces will be monitored by a contact group consisting of representatives to be nominated by parliamentary parties.

Inquiries: Jaakko Laajava, Under-Secretary of State, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5030 and Esa Pulkkinen, Head of Department, Director General, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 9 1608 8140