The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has, on Saturday, 14 April, received a request from the UN Secretariat’s Department of Peacekeeping Operations to authorise the possible deployment of military observers from ongoing operations to preparation of the observer mission to be established in Syria. The UN also calls on Member States to prepare to deploy military observers for the actual mission.
Finland has informed the UN Secretariat that the country approves the possible transfer of Finnish observers from the Middle East monitoring mission of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO). Moreover, in accordance with the policy line set by the President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy on Friday, 13 April, Finland has given notice that it is making preparations for the deployment of observers to the coming mission.
The participation of Finnish observers in the envisaged advance mission team of 30 observers is being explored.
“The intention is to proceed quickly in this matter. We have today sent our reply on Finland’s readiness to participate. Preparations for participation are proceeding on the basis of discussions with the UN,” Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja confirms.
The President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the matter on Friday, 13 April, when the political readiness to take part in the mission was approved. The participation decision proper is handled by the Committee on Foreign and Security Policy and the decision is taken by the President of the Republic, as laid down in the Act on Military Crisis Management.
Additional information: Deputy Director General Anu Laamanen, Political Department of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, mobile tel +358 40 768 0311
