President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discuss Finland’s crisis management participation and Russian affairs

On Friday 21 September, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed issues relating to international crisis management.

Finland will continue its active participation in international crisis management in line with the priorities set out in the Government Report on Finnish Foreign and Security Policy. Currently, Finland has approximately 500 soldiers participating in 9 military crisis management operations and approximately 110 experts in civilian crisis management. Most of the Finnish soldiers are deployed in the UNIFIL operation in Lebanon, in the operation within the framework of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, and the NATO Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan.

The key objective in crisis management is to strengthen security and stability in conflict areas and support the competence and capacity of countries affected by conflict. Increased stability and security improve local living conditions and enable economic and social development. Participation in crisis management is a means for Finland to both assume the responsibility for maintaining international peace and security and to develop the capacity and preparedness of our defence forces.

The President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy also discussed topical questions in the relations between Finland and Russia. Topics on the agenda included the upcoming Prime Ministers’ meeting and international policy issues regarding Russia.