FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What kind of defence policy issues did Finland promote during the EU presidency?
During the presidency, Finland's aim was to maintain and develop the projects that had been planned and conducted in the ESDP framework, for example, to oversee EU's ongoing crisis management operations. The aim was also to finalise the Force Catalogue and to make the EU Battle Group system fully operational by the end of the year 2006. Finland will continue the promotion to deepen the cooperation between civilian and military crisis management functions.
As a part of the presidency, Finland hosted the Informal Meeting of the EU Ministers of Defence. This meeting took place in Kittilä, Lapland in the beginning of October.
For more information:
The official website of Finnish EU Presidency
The EU agenda for the Ministry of Defence
What is the basis of the Finnish defence solution?
Finland's defence solution is based on general conscription and on the strong will of citizens to defend the nation.
General conscription is the best way for Finland to train wartime troops that are good enough both in quantity and quality. For Finland, it is the most economic and practical model to maintain a credible defence capability.
The period of liability for compulsory military service starts at the beginning of the year in which a Finnish man turns 18 and continues until the end of the year in which he turns 60. Military service on a voluntary basis has been possible for women since 1995.
Finland is not a member of the NATO but participates actively in NATO's Partnership for Peace programme and in cooperation between EU and NATO.
For more information:
The website of the Ministry of Defence: Defence Policy
How does Finland participate in the peacekeeping?
Finland took part in a UN operation for the first time in 1956, and has since placed about 47 000 peacekeepers (the number in fall 2006) in the peacekeeping operations. Presently, about 1 000 Finns are serving in nine different operations, most of them in Kosovo, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Afghanistan.
In proportion to Finnish population, Finland provides a large number of peacekeepers. During the years, and operations, only a few of them have passed away due the actual peacekeeping tasks. Finland also carries a reputation of specialized expertise - an expertise that comes from its strong experience in peacekeeping. This is why we consider that Finland earns the nickname 'a great nation of peacekeeping'.
The decision to participate in operations is made by the President of the Republic upon submission of the government. Before the peacekeeping force is deployed, the government is under obligation to hear the opinion of the Cabinet Foreign Affairs Committee. Peacekeeping operations are funded by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The Finnish Defence Forces International Centre, FINCENT, and Pori Brigade are for the main part responsible for the practical arrangements of international peace support operations.
More information:
The website of the Ministry of Defence:International Crisis Management Cooperation
Homepage of FINCENT
The Pori Brigade
Act on Military Crisis Management
How much is the defence spending? What is the share of defence spending of total state expenditure? What is the share of defence spending of the GDP?
In 2007 the defence spending is estimated to be 2,253 billion euros which is 5,5 per cent of the total state expenditure and 1,3 per cent of the GDP. The most part of the defence budget goes to the payroll of the Defence Forces and to the procurement of the defence material. In 2004 the defence expenditure of the European NATO countries was in average 1,87 per cent of the GPD. For the other European countries the number was 1,48 per cent of the GPD (Source: Military Balance 2006).
For more information:
The website of the Ministry of Defence: Finances
Do I have to serve in the Finnish Defence Forces if I have a dual citizenship?
Not necessarily. You can be exempted from military service if you have gained your Finnish citizenship and have carried out the military service of your former home country, or if you don't reside in, or have any real ties to Finland. The decision on exemption is made by the Defence Staff.
Also a Finnish citizen who holds a Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or American citizenship is not liable for military service in Finland when he is considered to be a citizen of any of the abovementioned countries.
Anyhow, you should clarify your own position at the Finnish Embassy or consulate (Finnish missions abroad) or your own supervisory Military Province Headquarters in Finland (Defence Forces' Contacts).
For more information:
The website of the Defence Forces about military service: Conscript
My grandfather served in the Finnish Army during the Winter War and the Continuation War. I'd like to know some facts about his service.
You should contact the Military Archives of Finland. The Archives is the repository of the archives for the Ministry of Defence, the Defence Forces and the Frontier Guard. Documents on Finnish conscripts since 1896 are stored in the Archives.
Can I work at the Ministry of Defence although I'm not a Finnish citizen?
In order to work at the Ministry, you have to be a Finnish citizen according to the Civil Servant Act (Valtion virkamieslaki) 19.8.1994/750.
If I didn't find an answer to my questions here, who should I contact?
The Media and Communications Unit at the MoD will gladly answer your questions at tiedotus@defmin.fi