President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discuss the Government’s Defence Report, supplementing the Defence Forces’ capabilities, the current[...]

President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discuss the Government's Defence Report, supplementing the Defence Forces' capabilities, the current situation in Syria and the programme for Finland's OSCE Chairpersonship in 2025

In their meeting on Friday 13 October, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy finalised the Government's Defence Report. The report will proceed to Parliament once it has been endorsed in the government plenary session.

The Defence Report looks at developments in the operating environment and assesses defence needs in the medium term. The report sets out guidelines for maintaining and developing Finland's defence capabilities as part of the Alliance and outlines Finland's defence policy and military role in NATO, the EU and other international defence cooperation. The timeline of the Defence Report extends beyond the current parliamentary term and into the 2030s.

The President and the Ministerial Committee also discussed a report on supplementing the Defence Forces' capabilities that is currently being drawn up by the defence administration. Among other things, the report is looking into the role of anti-personnel mines from the point of view of defence needs and current threat scenarios. The report is set to be completed in early 2025. In connection with the report, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is heading up an assessment on foreign and security policy. The next step will be to conduct an overall assessment of whether Finland should change its position on the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines. The reports will take into account changes in the security environment, technological advances, lessons learned from Ukraine and the significance of arms control agreements as part of the international treaty system.

The President and the Ministerial Committee also discussed the current situation in Syria. Finland and the EU have welcomed the fall of Assad's regime. The transfer of power in Syria must take into account international law and respect the rights of all Syrians, and the transition should strengthen stability in the Middle East.

In addition, the President and the Ministerial Committee were briefed on the outcome of the OSCE Ministerial Meeting in Malta on 4-6 December and on the programme for Finland's OSCE Chairpersonship in 2025. Finland's programme emphasises the principles of the Helsinki Final Act and support for Ukraine. As holder of the Chairpersonship, Finland stresses the importance of civil society in promoting human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

The President and the Ministerial Committee also discussed the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) Leaders' Summit taking place in Tallinn on 16-17 December and were briefed on the priorities of Finland's NORDEFCO chairpersonship in 2025 and the preparations for NATO's presence in Finland.

Inquiries: Petri Hakkarainen, Director General, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 295 351 130; Janne Kuusela, Director General, tel. +358 295 140 300 and Karoliina Honkanen, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 140 354, Ministry of Defence

The email addresses of the Finnish Government are in the format [email protected]