The Government will submit a report to Parliament on Finnish participation in the ISAF operation in Afghanistan, EU operation in Chad and Central African Republic, and standby period in the EU battle group

Press release 227/2007
1 November 2007

The Government will submit a report to Parliament on Finnish participation in the ISAF operation in Afghanistan, EU operation in Chad and Central African Republic, and standby period in the EU battle group

At a plenary session held on 1 November, the Finnish Government decided to submit to Parliament a report handling Finland’s participation in the ISAF operation in Afghanistan and the EU crisis management operation in Chad and Central African Republic, as well as the question of maintaining a military contingent in a high state of readiness during the standby period of a battle group consisting of Swedish, Finnish, Estonian, Irish and Norwegian forces.

The objective is to strengthen the Finnish contribution to the stabilisation efforts of Afghanistan by participation in the training and equipment support of the Afghan National Army within the framework of the ISAF operation. In addition, the possibility of strengthening the Finnish participation in the Provincial Reconstruction Team, PRT, will be examined.

As far as the EU operation in Chad and Central African Republic is concerned, Finland plans to participate with a force protection platoon and the necessary support and logistics elements as well as a few staff officers.

Finnish participation in the standby period of the Swedish-commanded Nordic Battle Group between 1 January and 30 June, 2008, will include 221 soldiers.

Additional information: Deputy Director General Anu Laamanen, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5519, Mari Eteläpää, Head of Unit, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 9 1608 8135, and Timo Kantola, Head of Unit, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5480

Government Report to Parliament (1 November 2007) (Opens New Window)