Finland for restraint in ME to avoid escalation

Finland on Tuesday called on all sides in the current tension in the Middle East to avoid violence and actions that would lead to escalation, reported news agency Xinhua.

The Cabinet Committee on Foreign affairs and Security Policy on Tuesday reviewed the situation in Iraq, Iran and the Middle East at large. The committee includes key ministers and is presided by President Sauli Niinistö.

The meeting underlined that the international community, especially the European Union, should act in a way that reduces tension.

Finland has for the time being suspended active training operations by Finnish troops in the Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR).

Active training operations were interrupted in the wake of the recommendation by Iraqi parliament that the U.S.-led coalition forces should leave. Some 80 Finnish servicemen are part of the foreign coalition forces in Iraq.

Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen told a Finnish language newspaper Helsingin Sanomat that if the coalition chooses to end the OIR, no separate Finnish decisions are needed.

Besides OIR, Finland is also a participant in the EU Advisory Mission in Iraq (EUAM Iraq) involved in civil crisis management.