Finland to participate in the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) led by Great Britain

During a joint defence minister meeting of Finland, Sweden and Great Britain, Minister of Defence Jussi Niinistö will sign an agreement on Finland's participation in the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) on 30 June 2017.

Built around the British-led force, cooperation aims at providing support to the development and maintenance of military capabilities of the participating countries. The countries currently participating in the JEF are Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Norway.

Finland's participation is based on the need to develop the Defence Forces' capabilities and interoperability. Participation will also deepen defence cooperation between Finland and Great Britain and with other countries taking part in the JEF. Sweden's participation is similarly based on national premises; Finland and Sweden prepared their participation in close cooperation. Finland's contribution to the JEF will be specified in the course of planning.

The President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy had outlined that Finland will participate in the activities of the JEF.

A press relase by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense can be found at http://www.defmin.fi/en/topical/press_releases

Inquiries: Otto Saxén, Director of Unit, tel. +358 295 140314; and Sami Jaakkola, Aid-de-Camp to the Minister of Defence, tel. +358 295 140102.