President and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discuss Syria and Finland's NATO Partnership

On Wednesday 19 October, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the conflict in Syria. President Bashar al-Assad's regime and Russia carry the main responsibility for the conflict's escalation and for civilian suffering in Aleppo. Finland strongly condemns the military actions against civilians and civilian targets.

Finland considers it important that the suspected war crimes be investigated and that the perpetrators be brought to justice. The parties to the conflict must immediately cease the warfare, provide unimpeded access for the delivery of humanitarian aid as well as commit to advancing a political solution of the Syria conflict.

The President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy considered it important that Finland's NATO Partnership be further strengthened. Finland supports closer cooperation between the EU and NATO, which contributes to Finland's security as well. The decisions concerning enhanced military presence in the Baltic States and Poland, made at the NATO Summit in Warsaw in July, create stability in the current security situation. At the same time, dialogue between NATO and Russia is important.

Inquiries: Jukka Salovaara, Director General, tel. +358 295 350 636, Jarno Syrjälä, Director General (Syria), tel. +358 295 351 891