Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed Finland's participation in EU's military training missions in Mali and Somalia

Government Communications Department
Press release 69/2013
15.2.2013

On Friday 15 February, the President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed Finland's participation in the EU's military training mission in Mali (EUTM Mali). The aim of the mission is to train and advise the Malian Armed Forces. Finland will contribute a maximum of 12 soldiers to posts in mission headquarters and in training team. The training is to begin in April.

The meeting also discussed continuation of Finland's participation in the EUTM Somalia training mission. The aim of the mission is to contribute to the training of Somali security forces. When the security situation in Mogadishu so allows, the intention is to gradually move the training from its current location in Uganda to the Somalian territory. Finland has participated in the training mission since 2010 and will continue to deploy a maximum of 10 soldiers until May 2015.

Inquiries: Kirsti Kauppi, Director General, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5032 and Helena Partanen, Director of Unit, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 295 140 310