THE WORKING GROUP of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows that Finland could obtain foreign military support for area surveillance. According to the workingroup, the main objective for such an effort would be to develop defense cooperation between Finland and Sweden. The report was handed over to the Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja on 4 November.

The proposal also suggested that Finland could provide military support in area surveillance to foreign countries. Moreover, this proposal would facilitate sending Finnish troops abroad as experts or staff members.

The project set by the Foreign Ministry evaluated the need to change the law, while Finland prepares for the possibility to give and receive military support. So far, Finland has only been able to send and accept soldiers and equipment for crisis management or exercises.

The main obstacle for giving military assistance so far has been the current defense force law. According to the law, the tasks of the defense forces are limited to the military defense of Finland, supporting Finnish authorities and participation in international crisis management.

The law forbids the separate use of force in supporting other authorities internationally.

The analysis is based on the 2012 Security Policy report, according to which Finland will clarify the

needs of the current government to amend the legislation of the EU Lisbon Treaty in relation to obligations for military assistance.

The chairperson of the working group was the Foreign Ministry's Legal Director, Päivi Kaukoranta. The Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defense and the President's Office also took part in the working group.

The proposal still needs to go through the legislative process, a task that is left for the next parliament. However, all major parties supported the security policy report and the parliamentary proceedings for giving military support.

HS

MERLE MUST – HT

© HELSINGIN SANOMAT

Lehtikuva / Mikko Stig