Review of Finland's Act on Peace Support Operations

Government Information Unit

Press release 363/2004
12 November 2004

On Friday, 12 November, the President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the reform of the Act on Peace Support Operations and related legislation. The intention is to set up a working group comprising representatives of different administrative sectors to prepare a government bill on the matter.

The meeting also discussed Finland's participation in the European Union's Rapid Response Force. The EU Member States will give notice of their intention to participate in the formation of the Rapid Response Force at the Capabilities Conference that will be held on 22 November. Finland will give notice of its participation in two battle groups, one of which will be established in cooperation with Sweden and the other with Germany and the Netherlands.

Further information: Markus Lyra, Director General, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5032, Elina Kalkku, Head of Unit, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5480 and Olli-Pekka Jalonen, Head of Unit, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 9 1608 8154