President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discuss Finland’s crisis management participation, EU security and defence cooperation, Government Report on Human Rights Policy and the situation in Ukraine

Government Communications Department
Publication date 26.11.2021 12.37 | Published in English on 26.11.2021 at 16.05
Press release 682/2021

On Friday 26 November 2021, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed issues relating to international crisis management. Finland currently has approximately 350 soldiers participating in nine military crisis management operations within the framework of the UN, the EU, NATO and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.

The President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy agreed that Finland will participate in the French-led EU Battle Group for a standby period in early 2024 with the Navy’s Minesweeper Detachment. Participation in the EU’s battle groups supports the development of the capabilities and interoperability of Finland’s Defence Forces as well as the development of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy. Finland last participated in the EU Battle Group for a standby period in 2020. 

The President and the Ministerial Committee also discussed the Strategic Compass on EU security and defence cooperation for the coming years, which focuses in particular on developing the EU’s crisis management, resilience, capabilities and partnerships.

The meeting also discussed the Government Report on Human Rights Policy.

Additionally, the situation in Ukraine was discussed.

Inquiries: Tanja Jääskeläinen, Acting Director General, tel. +358 295 350 303, Ministry for Foreign Affairs; Esa Pulkkinen, Director General, tel. +358 295 140 300, Ministry of Defence