Security cooperation
Since 2002, Finnish soldiers have been working alongside Allied forces as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Currently, some 195 Finnish personnel are deployed in the country, primarily with a Provincial Reconstruction Team in the north of the country. The focus of the Finnish contribution will gradually shift towards training and capacity-building of Afghan security forces. Finland also contributes to a projet conducted under the NATO-Russia Council aimed at training counternarcotics personnel from Afghanistan and other Central Asian partner countries.
Finnish forces have also played significant roles in securing peace in the former Yugoslavia. Nearly 20 soldiers are now operating with the NATO-led KFOR in Kosovo. In the past, Finland contributed a battalion to the NATO-led peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Finland’s role in training the forces of partner countries, particularly in peacekeeping, is greatly valued by the Allies. In July 2001, NATO formally recognized the Finnish International Centre in Ninisalo as a PfP Training Centre. Finland also regularly participates in PfP exercises.
Among other forces, it has declared one mechanized infantry battalion group and one combat engineer unit, a coastal mine hunter and a small number of fixed wing aircraft as potentially available for exercises and operations.
Finland’s close ties with its neighbours Norway, Denmark and Sweden have resulted in Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO), a further practical and efficient way for like-minded states to contribute to regional and international security. In Finland’s case this activity is pursued alongside the Nordic Battle Group.
Finland has joined the Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) programme. Finland is a member of Movement Coordination Center Europe (MCCE) and is participating in the Air Transport and Air Refueling Exchange System (ATARES). Finland is also participating in Air Situation Data Exchange (ASDE). Continuation of the current Strategic Airlift Interim Solution (SALIS) agreement beyond 2012 is being evaluated.
Finland has offered to participate in the NATO Response Force (NRF). It will make its first contribution to the NRF in 2012. Specific participation or involvement in any particular operation would require a sovereign decision by Finland.
Finland participated in the March 2011 Baltic Region Training Event (BRTE). Conducted by NATO Air Command Ramstein, BRTE is a series of planning, training and execution events for enhancing interoperability and building capabilities in the Baltic states.
Defence and security sector reform
Finland has participated in the PfP Planning and Review Process (PARP) since 1995. This, along with participating in the Operational Capabilities Concept influence Finnish planning and activities. Cooperation in these frameworks is aimed at enhancing Finland’s ability to take part in peace-support operations, as well as allowing Allies and other partners to benefit from Finnish expertise.
Finland has developed a new military crisis management concept as the basis for a revised national pool of forces for crisis management operations. All of these forces should be evaluated under Operational Capability Concept Evaluation and Feedback programme by the end of 2016.
Finland is contributing to the development of the EU Battle Group concept. It is cooperating with Estonia, Sweden and Norway, among other countries, in the development of a multinational rapid reaction force for EU-led peace-support operations.
Finland also contributes to NATO’s programme of support for security-sector reform in the western Balkans, southern Caucasus and Central Asia.
Alongside NATO Allies, Finland contributes to Partnership Trust Fund projects in other partner countries, including the repacking, centralizing and destruction of chemicals in Moldova; conducting an Explosive Remnants of War Survey, providing detection equipment, building an ammunition destruction facility and building a propellant surveillance laboratory in Jordan; and supporting a retraining and resettlement programme for departing servicemen in Ukraine. Finland has also contributed to six completed PfP projects in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia and Serbia.
Civil emergency planning
Civil emergency planning is a major area of bilateral cooperation. The aim is for Finland to be able to cooperate with NATO Allies in providing mutual support in dealing with the consequences of a major accident or disaster in the EAPC area. This could include dealing with the consequences of incidents involving chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear agents, as well as humanitarian disaster relief operations. In line with this, Finnish civil resources have been listed with the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC). Finland has also provided valuable civil emergency training to Allies and partners.
In March 2010, Finland co-hosted a seminar entitled “NATO’s New Strategic Concept – Comprehensive Approach to Crisis Management” with Sweden. During the seminar, Swedish, Finnish and NATO leaders and experts discussed ways to improve crisis management cooperation between the Allies and other international actors.
Science and environment
Under the Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme, scientists from Finland have participated in numerous advanced research workshops and seminars on a range of topics. Since 2005, Finnish personnel have participated in over 10 activities. Topics have included border security and the fight against terrorism, environmental security in harbours and coastal areas, and bioremediation of contaminated soils.
Public Information
In every partner country an embassy of one of the NATO member states serves as a contact point and operates as a channel for disseminating information about the role and policies of the Alliance. The current NATO Contact Point Embassy in Finland is the embassy of Estonia.
