President Tarja Halonen and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed Finland’s participation in international crisis management on Friday, including joint EU action in waters off the Horn of Africa.
The gathering said that the EU naval operation off the Somali coast has proved successful and the mandate of the operation has been continued. But, it was also noted that because of military crisis management spending limits, Finland will not be able to send a ship to the area until 2011 at the earliest.
If Finland goes ahead with naval participation in the EU operation, it is likely that the minelayer Pohjanmaa or one of the Navy's Hämeenmaa class minelayers/escort ships will be sent to the area. Whatever ship is sent, it is expected that it will function in command and escort role.
Finland does have two officers at operations headquarters in the UK.