Finland committed to Global Coalition work to Defeat ISIS: FM

Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto on Sunday said that Finland is committed to the work of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.

The minister made the remarks on the eve of the Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS scheduled to be held in Rome on Monday, said the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in a press release on Sunday.

Haavisto will attend the meeting co-hosted by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Luigi Di Maio.

Ministers will discuss ways to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria and especially in the Sahel and Mozambique in Africa.

“Finland is committed to the work of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Progress has been made in the work in Iraq and Syria, but there is still work that needs to be done. To achieve sustainable results, the fight against terrorism must be complemented by comprehensive support,” said Haavisto.

During the visit to Rome, Haavisto will hold meetings with foreign ministers of the countries attending the meeting as well as mediators.

Finland joined the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in 2014. Finland participates in a military training mission in Iraq under the Operation Inherent Resolve.

Finland also takes part in the EU’s civilian crisis management operation and in NATO Mission in Iraq (NMI), which is a non-combat advisory, training and capacity-building mission.