The President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee discussed the situation in the Middle East

Government Communications Unit
Press release 260/2006

31.7.2006

On Monday, 31 July, the President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the situation in the Middle East and the development of NATO partnership programmes.

The situation in the Middle East has quickly escalated and the crisis is now deeper and more severe than in years. The meeting discussed the current situation in the area, e.g. in the light of the visit to the region by Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja as representative of the Presidency of the European Union. The discussion covered measures by the EU, the UN and the international community to resolve the crisis and crisis management action in the area. The possibility of Finland’s participation in new operations will be assessed when more detailed plans of such operations have been made.

Further information: Sofie From-Emmesberger, Counsellor, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5406, and Pilvi-Sisko Vierros-Villeneuve, Director General, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5032.