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Finland

Finland participates in the joint crisis-management operations of the UN, EU and NATO. Finland has put its special knowledge of peacekeeping at the disposal of NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme. Finland was the first non-NATO country in charge of commanding a brigade (MNB (C)) in a KFOR operation. Finland continues to be one of the largest per capita contributors of peacekeepers in the world. There are currently some 700 Finnish peacekeepers involved in crisis management operations. The participation is as following: In Afghanistan: ISAFAt the Balkans: KFOR, EUFOR Althea and UNMIKIn the Middle East: UNTSOIn Africa: EUFOR TCHAD/RCA, UNMEE, UNMIL and UNMISIn Asia: UNMOGIP

Support to the Global War on Terror:

The Finnish Liaison Office at USCENTCOM was established in January 2002. Support to International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan: Finland has supported ISAF since 2002. As a Nato Partner Finland has about 110 officers and soldiers in Swedish-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) at Mazar-e –Sharif: staff officers assigned to HQ ISAF in Kabul and Regional Command North in Kunduz. The Finnish contingent also has some civilian crisis management personnel (political, development, police) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attached to PRT MeS.

Humanitarian Support to the people of Afghanistan / Iraq:

Finland pledged in Nov 2006 50 million Euros to AFG reconstruction efforts for 2006-2010. Finland provided assistance to good governance: law & order systems such as police, judical system and prisons. Built facilities for women, children & human rights assistance. Built facilities for health care. In Iraq Finland participates via EU actions to nation building. Money appr. 5 million Euros yearly for humanitarian assistance.

Links:
Finland: CIA World Factbook Page
Finnish Defense Forces
Ministry of Defense
Ministry of Foreign Affairs