Anne Meskanen appointed as Deputy Head of Mission of European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq

The European Union has appointed Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Anne Meskanen to serve as Deputy Head of Mission for the European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq (EUAM Iraq).

Founded in 2017, the European Union Advisory Mission Mission in support of Security Sector Reform in Iraq supports security sector reform in Iraq. The mission is mandated to provide advice and expertise to Iraqi authorities in the Security Sector Reform (SSR) to ensure a coherent implementation of the civilian related aspects of the reform.

EUAM Iraq provides advice and expertise to Iraqi authorities in matters related to diverse elements of the reform, including how to fight terrorism, organised crime, money laundering and corruption and to develop border security, as well as on human rights, security legislation and human resources management. The aim is to establish an efficient civilian security sector, which complies with the principles of good governance and respects human rights, and which enjoys popular confidence.

The mission employs 60 international experts and 25 locally employed staff. Ten Finnish experts are posted to serve in the mission. The mission is based in Baghdad. 

The candidacy and appointment of Anne Meskanen continues to reflect Finland’s consistent policy aiming at the stabilisation of the situation in Iraq. Meskanen has extensive experience of international positions. She has served as Finnish Ambassador to Afghanistan, Head of Mission at the Finnish Embassy in Kosovo, and Deputy Head of Mission at the Finnish Embassy in Damascus. In addition, Meskanen has worked at the Permanent Mission of Finland to the UN and at the Finnish Embassy in Romania. 

Inquiries: Sari Rautio, Director, Unit for Security Policy and Crisis Management, tel. +358 295 351 534, and Anne Meskanen, tel. + 964 781 451 6871.