President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discuss Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, military mobility, the situation in Belarus and the HX Fighter Programme

In their meeting on 11 November, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy agreed that Finland would continue to participate in Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) in Iraq with about 75 soldiers until the end of 2022. This will involve training and advisory tasks in Iraq, along with the necessary staff, administrative and support functions. A report on the matter will be submitted to Parliament in accordance with the Act on Military Crisis Management.

The meeting also addressed topical questions concerning military mobility and discussed the situation in Belarus in connection with EU border management. In addition, the President and the Ministerial Committee were briefed on the status of preparations for the HX Fighter Programme.

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