Finland's participation in destruction of Syria's chemical weapon

Government Communications Department
Press release 535/2013
12.12.2013

Translation. Original Finnish released on 11 December 2013.The UN resolution 2118 (2013) and the decision of the Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) establishing special procedures for the expeditious destruction of the Syrian Arab Republic’s chemical weapons programme were adopted on 27 September 2013. Both decisions request member states to provide support for the OPCW and the UN to ensure the destruction of the Syrian Arab Republic’s chemical weapons program in the soonest and safest manner. A joint OPCW-UN Mission, set up on 16 October 2013, is responsible for the implementation of the decisions.

Finland is making preparations to participate in a maritime transport operation to be run by Denmark and Norway which will support OPCW and UN action in the destruction of chemical weapons in Syria. The operation will transport and protect the transport of chemical weapons from the Syrian port of Latakia for their eventual destruction.

In accordance with the guidance by the President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy, Finland is preparing the participation in Denmark's and Norway's maritime transport operation with a troop involving a maximum of 20 soldiers from the Deployable CBRN Laboratory. It would be responsible for ensuring the CBRN safety of the sea transport of chemical weapons and chemicals in the maritime transport operation. The Finnish unit would operate on a Danish vessel and its mandate would run for three months at the maximum. Preparations of the maritime transport operation are underway. A national decision on Finland's participation is being prepared in accordance with the Act on Military Crisis Management.

Inquiries: Timo Kantola, Deputy Director General, tel. +358 295 351 477, Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Helena Partanen, Director of Unit, tel. +358 295 140 310, Ministry of Defence

 

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